/a 


THE 


AMERICAN  FRUIT  CULTURIST, 


CONTAINING   DIRECTIONS   FOR   TUB 


PROPAGATION  AND  CULTURE  OF  FRUIT  TREES, 


NURSERY,  ORCHARD,  AND  GARDEN, 


WITH   DESCRIPTIONS    OF 


THE  PRINCIPAL  AMERICAN  AND  FOREIGN  VARIETIES, 


IN   THZ   TWITBD   STATES- 


BY  JOHN  J.  THOMAS. 

\v 


ILLUSTRATED   WITH   THREE   HUNDRED   ACCfRATE    FIGURES. 


AUBURN: 

DERBY,  MILLER  &  COMPANY. 

1849. 


T4- 


tfAIN  U*«  ;JV 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1849,  by 

JOHN  J.  THOMAS, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  for  the  Northern  District  of  New- York. 


PREFACE. 


THE  favorable  reception  of  several  editions  of  the  Fruit  Culturist, 
has  induced  the  author  to  revise  it  thoroughly.  The  whole  has  been 
carefully  re-written,  and  the  original  amount  of  matter  more  than 
tripled;  at  the  same  time  the  attempt  has  been  made  to  comprise  all 
the  really  valuable  information  at  present  known,  by  condensation  of 
language,  methodical  arrangement,  and  a  free  use  of  illustrations. 

Careful  attention  has  been  given  to  uniformity  and  distinctness  in 
the  use  of  terms  for  describing  fruits,  and  variable  points  have  been  as 
much  as  possible  discarded.  Nearly  all  the  descriptions  have  been 
drawn  from  the  fruits  themselves,  carefully  compared  with  descriptions 
in  the  principal  standard  works;  and  to  facilitate  the  detection  of 
such  points  of  character  as  are  liable  to  vary  with  climate,  soil,  and 
culture,  specimens  for  comparison  have  been  largely  procured,  grown 
in  several  different  states  of  the  Union. 

In  the  difficult  task  of  indicating  the  value  of  the  different  varieties, 
by  the  type  used  for  the  name,  important  assistance  has  been  rendered 
by  several  eminent  pomologists  in  the  different  states.  The  thanks  of 
the  author  are  especially  due  to  the  following,  who  have  contributed 
a  large  amount  of  valuable  information,  or  have  liberally  furnished 
specimens  of  rare  varieties: — 

MARSHALL  P.  WILDER,  Boston; 

(For  many  years  President  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural   Society,  and 
President  of  the  American  Congress  of  Fruil  Growers.) 

SAMUEL  WALKER,  Roxbury,  Mass. ; 

(President  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society.) 
ROBERT  MANNING,  Pomological  Garden,  Salem,  Mass,  j 
BENJAMIN  V.  FRENCH,  Braintree,  Mass. ; 

(Vice-President  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society. 
A.  J.  DOWNING,  Newburgh,  N.  Y. ; 

(Author  of  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees  of  America,  and  other  standard  works  on 

Horticulture  ) 

CHARLES  DOWNING,  Newburgh,  N.  Y.; 
LUTHER  TUCKER,  Albany; 

(Proprietor  of  the  Horticulturist,  and  Editor  and  Proprietor  of  the  Cultivator. 

667820 


4  PREFACE. 

SANFORD  HOWARD,  Albany; 

(Associate  Editor  of  the  Cultivator.) 
Dr.  W.  D.  BRINCKLE,  Philadelphia; 

(Chairman  of  the  Fruit  Committee  of  the  Pennsylvania  Horticultural  Society.) 
THOMAS  S    PLEASANTS,  Petersburgh,  Va. ; 
P.   BARRY,  Rochester,  N.  Y.j 

(Horticultural  Editor  of  the  Genesee  Farmer.) 
F.  R.  ELLIOTT,   Cleveland,  Ohio; 

(Secretary  of  the  Ohio  Fruit  Convention.) 
A.   H.  ERNST,   Cincinnati; 

(President  of  the  Cincinnati  Horticultural  Society,  and  of  the  Ohio  Fruit   Con- 
vention.) 

In  addition  to  the  preceding,  the  author  would  not  do  justice  to  his 
feelings,  without  expressing  his  acknowledgments  to  the  many  who 
have  kindly  furnished  specimens  of  rare  fruits,  among  whom  are  ELL- 
WANGER  &  BARRY,  and  J.  Wv.  BISSEL,  Rochester;  W.  R.  SMITH/ 
Macedon;  B.  HODGE,  Buffalo;  A.  MC!NTOSH,  Cleveland;  F.  K. 
PHOENIX,  Delavan,  Wisconsin;  C.  W.  ELLIOTT,  Cincinnati;  THOMAS 
HANCOCK,  Burlington,  New  Jersey;  GEORGE  GABRIEL,  New  Haven ; 
and  SAMUEL  H.  COLTON,  Worcester,  Mass. 

From  his  father,  David  Thomas,  he  has  derived  the  knowledge  of 
many  valuable  facts  relative  to  the  cultivation  and  management  oi 
Fruit. 

Much  valuable  information  has  been  obtained  from  the  various 
works  on  American  Fruits,  among  which  are  Downing's  invaluable 
treatise  on  Fruits  and  Fruit  Trees,  Hovey's  Magazine,  and  the  Hor- 
ticulturist. 

The  condensed  style  of  the  work  forbids  a  frequent  reference  to 
these  various  authorities,  and  this  general  acknowledgment  is  more 
especially  due. 

The  numerous  figures  of  fruits,  have,  with  very  few  exceptions, 
been  drawn  by  the  author  from  average  well  grown  specimens,  by  a 
mode  giving  exact  impressions  of  the  original 


INDEX. 

PART  I.     GENERAL  PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICES. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  remarks,  13— Profits  said  advantages  of  Fruit  Culture,    14— Markets, 
15— Beueficial  effects,  17. 

CHAPTER  II. 

History — Improvement  in  fruit  by  the  ancients.  IS — Modern  progress,  20. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Production  of  new  varieties,  £4 — Van  Mons'  experiments,  26 — Knight's,  27 — Mode 
of  crossing.  23. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Propagation  of  sorts,  30— Cuttings,    32— Eyes,  34— Layers,   34— Grafting,  36— Bud- 
ding, 42 — Limits  of  Budding  and  Grafting,  46 — Best  stocks,  47. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Changes  wrought  in  fruits  by  external  causes,    CO — Climate,  51 — Sorts  declining  by 
old  age,  51 — influence  of  culture,  52 — Soil  and  Stocks  53— Productiveness,  56. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Soils,   57 — Manures,  07 — Special  manures,  58 — Situation,  62 — Enclosures,  66 — Fruit 
stealing,  67. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Transplanting,   68—  Shortening-in,    69— Preparing   the    ground,   72— Preparing    the 
roots,  73— -Setting,  74 — Watering,  75 — Mulching,  76 — Season  for  transplanting,  77. 

CHAPTER  VIH. 

Cultivation  of  the  soil,  80 — Experiments,  81 — How  performed,  82. 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Pruning,  86— Pruning  to  promote  fruitfulness,  89— Pyramidal  training-,  90. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Causes  of  fruitfulness,  92— Root  Pruning,  93— Stocks,  94. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Implements— prnning-knife,  saws,  chisels,  95— Budding  knife,  grafting  tools.  9ft— 
Shears,  ladders,  97-Trellis,  9S-Labels,  99. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Terms  used  in  describing  fruits,  101—112. 


VI 


INDEX APPLES. 


PART  II.     THE  DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF  FRUITS. 

Introductory  Remarks,  115. 

CHAPTER  I. 

THE  APPLE.— Profits,  117— Propagation— Budding,  US— Root  Grafting,  119— Planting 
orchards,  121 — Renovating  old  orchards,  124 — Gathering  and   preserving,  126 — 
.      Insects,  128. 


VARIETIES  *— Albemarle  Pippin,  177. 
Alexander,  146. 
Alfriston,  177. 

American  Golden  Russet,  178,  190. 
American  Pippin,  163. 
American  Red  Junealing,  139. 
American  Summer  Pearmain,  136,  190. 
Autumnal  Swaar,  145. 
Bailey  Sweet,  159,  191. 
Baldwin,  160,  163. 
Beauty  of  Kent,  146. 
Beauty  of  the  West,  144. 
Bedfordshire  Foundling,  177 
Belmont,  177:  176. 
Sen,  167. 
Benoni,  136. 
Bevan's  Favorite,  136. 
Black  Apple,  163. 
Black  Coal,  164. 
Black  Detroit,  164. 
Black  Giiliflower,  164 
Blenheim  Pippin,  144. 
Blue  Pearmain,  164. 
Borovitsky,  137. 
Borsdorff.  178. 
Bough,  135,  142. 
Bourassa,  178. 
Brabant  Bellflower,  164 
Bracken,  144. 
Broadwell,  161. 
Buffingtoif  s  Early,  142. 
Bullock's  Pippin,  178,  190. 
Caaiada  Reinette,  178. 
Cane,  150. 
Cann,  161. 
Carthouse   164,  189. 
Cathead,  179. 
Chandler,  164. 
Cole,  137. 
Cooper,  147. 
Cornish  Aromatic,  147. 
Cornish  Giiliflower,  165. 
Cos,  165. 

Court  of  Wick,  179. 
Court  Pendu,  165. 
Cranberry  Pippin,  179. 
Cumberland  Spice,  179,  188. 
Danvers  Sweet,  161. 
Detroit,  164.  183. 
Devonshire  Quarrenden,  137 
Dewitt,  147. 
Doctor,   147 
Domme,  165. 
Downton  Pippin,  153. 
Dowse,  156. 


Drap  d'Or,  153. 

Durnelow's  Seedjing,  165 

Dutch  Codlin,  153. 

Dutch  Mignonne,  165. 

Dutchess  of  Oldenburgh.  147. 

Dyer,  153,  154. 

Early  Chandler,  137. 

Early  Harvest,  142. 

Early  Joe,  137.  138. 

Early  Red  Margaret,  137,  189. 

Early  Strawberry,  139,  140. 

English  Codlin,  155. 

English  Golden  Russett,  179. 

English  Russett,  180,  190. 

English  Summer  Pearmain.  147. 

Esten,  155. 

Eustis,  167. 

Fallawater,  180. 

Fall  Cheese,  155. 

Fall  Harvey,  155. 

Fall  Orange,  155. 

Fall  Pippin,  155,  188. 

Fameuse,  147,  189. 

Fenouillet  Gris,  180. 

Fenouillet  Jaune,  180. 

Fenouillet  Rouge,  180. 

Fort  Miami,  181. 

Franklin  Golden  Pippin,  156. 

Garden  Royal,  139,  190. 

Gate,  177. 

Gilpin,  164. 

Gloria  Mundi,  182. 

Gloucester  Cheese,  149. 

Golden  Ball,  181. 

Golden  Harvey,  181. 

Golden  Pippin,  181,  189. 

Golden  Reinette,  167. 

Golden  Russet,  179,  178. 

Golden  Sweet,  136. 

Grand  Sachem,  156. 

Gravenstein,  149,  148. 

Graniwmkle,  145. 

Green  Seek-no-further.  181,  191 

Green  Sweet,  162. 

Greening,  184. 

Hagloe,  141. 

Hartford  Sweeting,  159. 

Haskell  Sweet,  145,  192. 

Hawley,  156,  154. 

Hawthornden,  156,  191. 

Herefordshire  Pearmain,  167,  188. 

Holland  Pippin,  155.  156,  188. 

Hoary  Morning,  167. 

Hubbardston  Nonsuch,  166,  167. 

Hunter,  149. 


The  standard  names  are  in  Roman  letters,  synomyms  in  Italics. 


INDEX APPLES. 


vn 


Ingestrie,  Red,  151. 

Jngestrie,  Yellow,  159. 

Irish  Peach,  139. 

Jeffries.  149. 

Jersey  Greening,  183. 

Jersey  Sweeting,  145,  190. 

Jewell's  Red,  149. 

Jonathan,  167.  189. 

Jnly  Branch,  142. 

June  Apple,  139. 

Juneating,  137,  139. 

Kaiie,  150. 

Kenrick's  Autumn,  150. 

Kentish  Filbasket,  168. 

Kerry  Pippin.  150. 

Keswick  Codlin,  156. 

Kilham  Hill,  150. 

King  of  the  Pippins,  150. 

Kirk's  iMrd  Nelson,  163. 

Ladies'  Sweeting,  159,  160. 

Lady  Apple,  181,  182,  189. 

Laquier,  168. 

Large  Yellow  Bough,  135. 

Late  Strawberry,  150,  190» 

Leland  Spice,  151,  190. 

Lemon  Pippin,  157. 

Limber  Twig,  168. 

Loudon  Pippm,  182. 

Lowell,  157. 

Lucombe's  Seedling,  168. 

Lyman's  Large  Summer,  142. 

Lyman's  Pumpkin  Sweet,  145. 

Lyscom.  151. 

Maiden's  Blush,  157,  191. 

Male  Carle,  157. 

Mank's  Codlin,  143. 

Margill,  168. 

Marston's  Red  Winter,  168. 

May  Apple,  144. 

McLellan,  169. 

Melon,  151. 

Menagere.  157. 

Michael  Henry  Pippin,  182. 

Minister,  169. 

Monstrous  Pippin.  182. 

Moose,  182. 

Mother,  169,  192. 

Mouse,  182. 

Murphy,  169. 

Newark  King,  183. 

Newark  Pippin,  183. 

Newtown  Pippin,  182,  187,  172. 

Nonsuch,  151,  171. 

Norfolk  Beaufin,  169. 

Northern  Spy,  169,  174. 

Old  Nonpareil,  183. 

Old-Town  Crab,  162. 

Orange,  157,  155. 

Orne's  Early,  157. 

Ortley,  183,  188. 

Oslin,  143. 

Patterson  Sweet,  159. 

Peach  Poud  Sweet,  145,  190 

Pearmain.  167,  175. 

Peck's  Pleasant,  183. 

Peunock,  170. 


Phillips'  Sweeting,  161. 

Pickman,  1S4. 

Pomme  de  Neige,  147. 

Pomine  Grise,  184. 

Pomme  Royale,  153. 

Porter,  157,  148. 

Pound,  170. 

Priestly,  170. 

Pryors  Red,  170. 

Pumpkin  Russet,  146. 

Putnam  Russet,  185. 

Quince,  158. 

Ram  bo,  151. 

Rambour  d' Ete,  141. 

Ramsdell's  Sweeting,  161. 

Rawle's  Jannet,  170. 

Red  and  Green  Sweet,  135. 

Red  Ashmore,  153. 

Red  Astrachan,  143. 

Red  Canada,  171,  166. 

Red  Gilliflower,  171. 

Red  Juneating,  137. 

Red  Quarrenden,  137. 

Redstreak,  171. 

Republican  Pippin,  151. 

Rhode  Island  Greening,  184. 

Ribston  Pippin,  152. 

River,  139. 

Romanite,  151,  164.* 

Roman  Stem,  185. 

Ross  Nonpareil,  152,  189. 

Roxbury  Russet,  185,  190. 

Saint  Lawrence,  152. 

Sam  Young,  185. 

Scarlet  Nonpareil,  171. 

Scarlet  Pearmain,  152. 

Seeknqfurther,  175,  181,  186,  191 

Shippen's  Russet,  185. 

Siberian  Crab,  158. 

Sine  Qua  Non,  143. 

Smokehouse,  152. 

Sops  of  Wine,  141. 

Spencer  Sweeting,  159. 

Spice  Apple,  162. 

Spice  Sweeting,  136. 

Spitzenburgh,  Esopus,  171,  172. 

Spitzenburgh,  Flushing,  173. 

Spitzenburgh,  Newtown,  173. 

Spitzenburgh,  Kaighn's,  173. 

Straivberry,  139,  150,  190. 

Stroat,  158. 

Sugar-loaf  Pippin,  144. 

Summer  Bellflower,  143. 

Summer  Golden  Pippin,  144. 

Summer  Hagloe,  141. 

Summer  Queen,  141. 

Summer  Rambour,  141. 

Summer  Rose,  138,  141. 

Summer  Sweet  Paradise,  146, 198. 

Surprise,  158. 

Swaar,  176,  185. 

Sweet  Baldwin,  161,  192 

Sweet  and  Sour,  186. 

Sweet  Fough,  135. 

Sweet  Pearmajn,  161. 

Sweet  Russet,  146,  162. 


VIII 


INDEX APPLES PEARS. 


Sweet  Swaar,  145. 

Tall  in  an  Sweeting,  162. 

Tart  Bough,  142. 

Tetofeky,  141. 

Tewksbury  Blush.  186. 

Tiffi  Sweeting,  146. 

Tompkins,  158. 

Twenty  Ounce,  153. 

Viindevere,  173. 

Victorious  Keinette,  186. 

Victuals  and  Drink,  163. 

Wagener,  173,  174. 

Warner  Kusset,  185. 

Watson's  Dumpling,  173. 

Waxen,  177. 

Wells  Apple,  173. 

Wells  Sweeting,  162. 

Westfield  Seeknofurther,  175,  191. 

White  Juneating,  144,  189. 

Figures  of  comparative 


White  Pippin.  178. 
White  Seeknofurther,  186,  191. 
White  Winier  Calville,  186. 
Williams'  Favorite,  142,  138. 
Willow  I'wisr,  175. 
Wine,  175 
Winesap,  175. 
Winier  Ch.-ese,  187. 
Winter  Pearmain,  175,  188. 
Winter  Queen,  177. 
Wood's  Greening,  187. 
Woodstock  Pippin,  144. 
Woonnan's  Enrly,  141. 
Wormsley  Pippin,  159. 
Yellow  Beliflower,  187. 
Yellow  Harvest,  142 
Yellow  Newtown  Pippin,  187. 
Yorkshire  Greening,  777. 

forms  of  apples,  188,  192. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE   PEAR. — Propagation,     193 — Seedlings,    194 — Dwarfs,    196 — Pyramidal   Pears, 
199— Gatheringa-.id  Keeping  the  Fruit,  200— Diseases,  201 


VARTKTIES.— Abbott,  233. 
Alpha,  -.34. 

Alihorpe  Crassane,  249. 
Amande  Double,  226. 
Amhmsia,  234. 
Amire  Joan  net,  214.  215. 
Andrews,  2-26     Ananas.  234 
Angleterre,  226 
Ast;>n  Town.  '251. 
Autumn  Col  mar,  227. 
Banlett,  206,  207. 
Be.ile  et  B»nne,  247. 
Belle  of  Brussels,  2(17. 
Belle  Lucrative,  234,  263. 
Sellisime  d' Ete,  20?. 
Belmont,  234. 
Bergam'.t,  Autumn,  251. 
Bergamot,  Karly,  217. 
Bergamot,  IIani|,den's,  217. 
Bergamot,  Large  Summer,  217. 
Bergamoi,  Summer,  219 
Bergarnotte  Cadette,  234,  249,  270. 
Berjjamotie  d'Automne,  251. 
Beurre  Bosc,  218,  219. 
Beurre  Bronzee,  '265. 
Beurre  d'Amalis.  231. 
Beurre  d'Anjou,  231.  238. 
Beurre  d'Aremberg,  253. 
Beurre  Colmar,  235. 
Beurre  Crapaud,  2:3-5. 
Beurre  de  Beaumont,  235. 
Beurre  Diel,  220,  270. 
Beurre  Diival,  227. 
Beurre  firis  d'Hiver  Nouveau,  260. 
Beurre  Kenrick.  2:i5. 
Beurre  Knox.  231. 
Brurre  Prebl.-,  235. 
Beurre  Raiu-e,  257. 
Beurre  Romam,  234 
Beurre  Vau  Alarum,  227. 


Beurre  Van  Mons,  227. 

Bezi  de  hi  Motte,  248. 

Bezi  de  Moniigny,  235. 

Bezi  d'Heri   265. 

Bezi  Vaet.  260. 

Bslboa.  r.olden  Beurre  of,  238,  239. 

Bishop's  Thumb,  220. 

Black  Worcester,  254. 

Bleeker's  Meadow,  251. 

Blood  good.  '206.  210. 

Bon  Chretien  Fondante,  236. 

Boucquia,  236. 

Brande's  M.  Germain,  260. 

BranJywine,  208,  268. 

Broompark,  265. 

Brown  Beurre,  231,  269. 

Buffum,  236. 

Burnett,  22' ». 

Butter  Pear,  210,  241. 

Cab.  t,  236. 

Caen  du  France,  260,  270. 

Caleba-we,  227. 

Calhoun,  249. 

Capiaumont,  227. 

Capsheaf.  245. 

Capncin,  232. 

Cut  iliac.  254. 

Chiipman,  2'12. 

Chancellor,  ^32. 

Charles  of  Austria,  248. 

Chiiumt-ntel,  254. 

Chelmsforcl,  V20 

Ciiron.  21? 

Citron  d.-sCarmes,  2tl. 

Clara,  228. 

Col  rnar,  258. 

Colmnrd'Aremberg,  220. 

Columbia,  259. 

Commodore,  236. 

Comprette,  223. 


INDEX PEARS. 


Compte  de  Laray,  289. 

Comstock,  260. 

Copia,  232. 

Coter,  260,  270. 

Countess  of  Lunay,  228. 

Crassane,  248. 

Crawford,  210. 

Croft  Castle,  251. 

Cross,  266. 

Cumberland,  220. 

Cushing,  237. 

Dallas,  237. 

Dearborn's  Seedling,  214,  215. 

Delices  d'Hardenpont,  228. 

De  Louvain,  237 

Dix,  221,  270. 

Doyenne  Boussock,  237,  240. 

Doyenne,  Gray,  240,  241. 

Doyenne.  Summer,  216. 

Doyenne,  White,  240,  244. 

Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  221,  270. 

Duchesse  de  Mars,  237. 

Duchesse  d'Orleans,  221,  269. 

Dumortier,  245. 

Dundas,  237. 

Dun  more,  232. 

Early  Catherine,  209. 

Early  Rousselet,  209. 

Easter  Bergamot,  261. 

Easter  Beurre,  259,  264. 

Echassery,  261. 

Edward's  Elizabeth,  239. 

Edwards'  Henrietta,  215. 

Edwards'  William,  228. 

Emerald.  261. 

Enfant  Prodigue,  239. 

EpinecTEte,  208. 

Epine  Rose,  217. 

Eyewood.  251,  268. 

Figue,  228.  269. 

Fig  of  Naples,  239,  269. 

Fine  Gold  of  Summer,  217. 

Flemish  Beauty,  222,  232. 

Flemish  Bonoretien,  261. 

Fondante  d'Automne,  234. 

Fondante  duBois,  261. 

Forme  de  Delices,  239. 

Forelle,  229. 

Fortunee,  266. 

Franc  Real  d'Hiver,  266. 

Frederick  of  Wurlemburgh,  221 

Fulton,  252,  268. 

Gansel's  Bergamot,  248. 

Gendesheim,  221. 

Gilogil,  265. 

Glout  Morceaux,  253,  255. 

Great  Citron  of  Bohemia,  233. 

Green  Chisel,  211,  215. 

Green  Yair,  241. 

Hacon's  Incomparable,  248 

Haddington,  262. 

Harvard,  229. 

Heathcot,  241,  268. 

Henkel,  241. 

Henry  IV.,  246,  268. 

Hericart,  241. 


Hessel,  216. 

Holland  Bergamot,  265. 

Howell,  213. 

Hugenot,  250. 

Hull,  242. 

Jalousie,  233. 

Jalousie  Fontenay, 

Jaminette,  258. 

Jargonelle,  23 7, 267. 

Jargonelle,  French,  208,  267 

Jersey  Gratioli,  229 

Johonnot,  246. 

Jones,  239. 

Josephine,  258. 

Julienne,  210- 

King  Edward's,  223- 

Knight's  Monarch,  259. 

Knight's  Seedling,  242. 

Las  Canas,  258. 

Lawrence,  269. 

Leech's  Kingsessing,  210,  288. 

"Leon  le  Clerc,  262. 

Lewis,  263. 

Limon,  211. 

Little  Musk,  216. 

Locke,  262. 

Lodge,  229. 

Long  Green,  223. 

Louise  Bonne,  255. 

Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey, 

Louise  d'Orleans,  242. 

Madeleine,  211,  214. 

Madotte,  223. 

Manning's  Elizabeth,  216,  267. 

Marie  Louise,  224,  270. 

McLaughlin,  262. 

Messire  Jean,  242. 

Michaux,  250. 

Moccas,  262. 

Moor-fowl  Egg,  251. 

Mouthtoater,  223. 

Muscadine,  211. 

Muscat  Robert,  216. 

Napoleon,  229,  269. 

Naumkeag,  250. 

Neill,  224. 

Ne  Plus  Meuris,  266. 

Oliver's  Russet,  242. 

Onondaga,  224,  267. 

Osband's  Summer,  211,  215. 

Oswego  Beurre,  242,  269. 

Ott,  216,  267. 

Pailleau,  229. 

Paquency,  243. 

Paradise  d'Automne,  218,  294. 

Fassans  du  Portugal,  219. 

Passe  Colmar,  258. 

Pennsylvania,  243. 

Petre,  243,  268. 

Piquery,  226. 

Pitt's  Prolific,  230. 

Plumbgastel,  225. 

Pope's  Quaker,  230. 

Pope's  Scarlet  Major,  243. 

Pound,  255. 

Pratt,  243,  267. 


INDEX PEARS QUINCES PEACHES. 


Primitive,  216. 

Prince's  !St.  Germain,  256,  263. 

Princess  of  Orange,  252. 

Queen  Caroline,  230. 

Queen  of  the  Low  Countries,  225 

Quillette,  252. 

Rostiezer,  212.  213. 

Rousselet  de  Meester,  250. 

Rousselet  de  Rheims,  246,  268. 

Sanspeau,  209. 

Seckel,  246,  268. 

Shenks,  233 

Sieulle,  250,  270. 

Skinless,  209,  267. 

Smith's  Moyamensing,  210,  268. 

Soldat  Laboreur,  254. 

Spanish  Bonchretien,  255. 

Stevens'  Genesee,  249. 

St.  Germain,  257. 

St.  Ghislain,  230. 

St.  Michael,  244. 

Styrian,  230. 

Sugar  of  Hoyerswerda,  213- 

Sugar  Top,  213. 

Sullivan,  230. 

Summer  Bell,  208. 

Summer  Bonchretien,  225. 

Summer  Doyenne,  214,  216. 

Summer  Frankreal,  212,  213. 

Summer  Portugal,  219. 


Summer  St.  Germain,  213. 

Summer  Thorn,  208. 

Swan's  Egg,  247. 

Swaivs  Orange,  224,  267. 

Sylvange.  250. 

Trescolt,  244. 

Triomphe  de  Jodigne,  225. 

Tyson,  209,  212. 

Urbaniste,  226,  269. 

Vallee  Franche,  215. 

Van  Assene,  233. 

Van  Buren,  233. 

Van  Mons'  Leon  Le  Clerc,  226,  270. 

Vicar  of  Winkfield,  256,  257. 

Vicompie  de  Spoelberch,  258. 

Virgalieu,  244. 

Virgouleuse,  263. 

Washington,  238,  244. 

Westcott.  244. 

White  Doyenne,  240.  244. 

Wilbur,  245. 

Wilkinson,  245. 

Williams'  Bonchretien,  207. 

Williams'  Early,  219,  247. 

Windsor,  208. 

Winship's  Seedling,  209. 

Winter  Bell,  255. 

Winter  Crnssane,  266. 

Winter  Nelis,  263,  264. 

Yat,  230. 


Summer  Rose,  217. 

Figures  of  Comparative  forms  of  Pears,  267—271. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  QUINCE.— Propagation— Soils,  272— Pruning,  273— Enemies,  274— Varieties. 
275. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

THE  PEACH. — Extent  of  culture,  276 — Budding,  277 — Stocks,  279 — Orchards,  279 — 
Transplanting,  280— Pruning,  281— Training,  282— Drying  and  Preserving, 
283— Insects,  284— Arrangement,  288. 


VARIETIES.— Acton  Scott,  292. 
Astor,  293. 

Baltimore  Beauty,  300. 
Harrington,  293. 
Belle  de  Vitry.  291. 
Bellegarde,  293. 
Bergen's  Yellow,  302. 
Blood  Clingstone,  305. 
Brevoort,  298. 
Catherine  Cling,  303. 
Chancellor,  298. 
Clinton.  293. 
Cole's  Early  Red,  294. 
Cole's  White  Melpcoton,  299. 
Cooledge's  Favorite,  294. 
Columbia,  302. 
Crawford's  Early,  300. 
Crawford's  Late,  300. 
Double  Mountain,  289. 
Druid  Hill,  294. 
Early  Admirable,  293. 
Early  Auue,  289. 


Early  Barnard,  301. 

Early  Newington  Freestone,  208 

Early  Purple,  298. 

Early  Tillotson,  291. 

Early  York,  290,  295. 

Emperor  of  Russia,  292.  * 

Favorite,  294. 

Fox's  Seedling,  294. 

Garlande,  293. 

George  IV.,  294. 

Green  Catherine,  295. 

Grosse  Mignonne,  293. 

Heath  Cling,  303. 

Incomparable,  304. 

Jaques'  Rareripe,  300. 

Kenrick's  Heath,  299. 

La  Granee,  299. 

Large  Early  York,  295. 

Large  Red  Rareripe,  292. 

Large  White  Clingstone,  303. 

Late  Admirable.  295. 

Lnte  Red  Rareripe,  295. 


INDEX PEACHES NECTARINES APRICOTS PLUMS.         XI 

Late  Yellow  Alberge,  304.  Van  Zandt's  Superb,  297. 

Lemon  Clingstone,  304.  Walter's  Early,  297. 

Magdalen  of  Courson,  289.  Ward's  Late  Free,  297. 

Malta,  290.  Washington,  297. 

Morris  Red  Rareripe,  296.  Washington  Clinkstone,  304. 

Morris  While,  299.  White  Blossomed  Incomparable,  299 

Morrissania  Pound,  296.  White  Imperial,  297. 

New-York  Rareripe,  295.  White  Nutmeg,  290. 

Nivette,  296.  Yellow  Admirable,  301. 

Oldinixon  Clingstone,  304.  Yellow  Alberge,  301. 

Oldmixon  Freestone,  296.  Yellow  Rareripe,  301. 

OldNewington,  302.  NECTARINES. — Varieties,  305. 

Orange  Clingstone,  304.  Boston,  307. 

Pavie  Admirable,  304.  Broomfield,  308. 

President,  296.  Downton,  306. 

Red  Cheek  Melocoton,  300.  Due  de  Telliers,  306. 

Red  Rareripe,  292.  Early  Newington,  308. 

Rosanna,  301.  Early  Violet,  306. 

Royal  Charlotte,  292.  Elruge,  306. 

Royal  George,  292.  Fairchild's,  307. 

Scott's  Early  Red,  296.  Golden,  308. 

Scon's  Nonpareil,  301.  Hardwicke  Seedling,  306. 

Serrate  Early  York,  290.  Hunt's  Tawny,  307. 

Smith's  Newington,  302.  Murray,  306. 

Snow,  299.  Newington,  308. 

Strawberry,  299.  New  White,  305. 

t^weetwater,  291.  Peterborough,  307. 

Tcton  de  Venus,  295.  Pitmaston  Orange,  307. 

Tippecanoe,  304.  Red  Roman,  308. 

CHAPTER  V. 
THJC  ABRICOT.— Culture,  309. 

VARIETIES.  310— Alberge,  313.  Musch,  311. 

Black,  310.  Orange,  310. 

Breda,  310.  Peach,  312. 

Brussels,  312.  Red  Masculine,  313. 

Dvbois,  311.  Roman.  313. 

Early  Golden,  311.  Royal,  312. 

Hemskirke,  311.  Shipley's,  312. 

Large  Early.  312.  Turkey,  310. 

Moorpark,  311.  White  Masculine,  313. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  PLTTM. — Raising  the  young  trees,  314— Soil  and  manure,  315 — Insect*— CurCtt« 
lio,  315— Black  excrescences,  320— Drying  prunes,  322. 

VARIETIES. — Albany  Beauty,  327.  Columbia,  334. 

American  Wheat,  346.  Corse's  Admiral,  345. 

Apricot,  327.  Corse's  Field  Marshal,  345. 

Aniumn  Gage,  327.  Corse's  Nota  Beue,  337. 

Bingham,  331.  Cruger's  Scarlet,  337. 

Bleecker's  Gage,  326,  328.  Damson,  342. 

Bleecker's  Scarlet,  345.  Dana's  Yellow,  333. 

Blue  Gage.  341.  Denniston's  Red,  337. 

Blue  Imperatrice,  344.  Denniston's  Superb,  328. 

Blue  Perdrigon,  344.  Diamond,  335. 

Brevoort's  Purple,  343.  Domine  Dull,  345. 

Bnel's  Favorite,  331.  Downton  Imperatrice,  333. 

Byfield,  334.  Drap  d'Or.  329. 

Cherry,  346.  Duane's  Purple,  343. 

Cheston,  341.  Early  Scarlet.  346. 

Chickasaw,  347.  Early  Tours,  347. 

Coe's  Golden  Drop,  332.  Elfirey,  342, 

Coe'«  Late  Red,  336,  337.  Emerald  Droo,  333. 


INDEX  —  PLUMS  —  CHERRIES. 


Flushing  Gage,  325. 

Fotheringham,  337. 

Frost  Gage,  347. 

German  Prune,  335,  345. 

Ghiston's  Early,  325. 

Goliath,  343. 

Green  Gnge,  326,  329. 

Gwalsh,  343. 

Holland,  338. 

Horse  plum,  338. 

Howell's  Early,  342. 

Hudson  Gage,  323. 

Huling's  Superb,  332. 

Ickworth  Ifnperatrice,  345. 

Imperial  Gage,  325,  326. 

Imperial  Ottoman,  325,  330 

Isabella,  338. 

Italian  Damask.  338. 

Jaunt  Native,  330. 

Jefferson,  325,  326. 

Judson,  342. 

Kirke's,  338. 

Large  Green  Drying,  332. 

La,  Royale,  341. 

Lawrence's  Favorite,  325,  326. 

Lombard,  345. 

Long  Scarlet,  346. 

Lucombe's  Nonsuch,  333. 

Manning's  Long  Blue,  335. 

McLaughlin,  332. 

Mirabelle,  330. 

Morocco,  338. 

Mulberry,  332. 

Nectarine  344. 

Orleans,  339. 

Orleans,  Early,  339. 

Peach  Plum,  335. 


Peoly's  Early  Blue,  346. 
Pond's  Seedling,  339. 
Primordial!,  £30. 
Prince  of  Wales,  339. 
Prune  d'Agen,  339. 
Purple  Favorite,  339. 
Purple  Gage,  339. 
Queen  Mother,  342. 
Quetsche,  335. 
Ked  Apricot,  340. 
Red  Diaper,  335.  336. 
Red  Egg,  336. 
Red  Gage,  340 
Red  Magnum  Bonum,  336. 
Red  Perdngon,  341. 
Red  St.  Martin,  337. 
Reine  Claude  de  Bavay,  328. 
Royale,  311. 
Royale  Hative,  341 
Royal  Tours.  344. 
Schencctady  Catherine,  342. 
Schuyler's  Gage,  330. 
Semiana,  344. 
Sharp's  Kmperor,  336. 
Smith's  Orleans,  343. 
St  Catherine,  333. 
St.  Martin's  Quetsche,  328. 
Suisse,  346, 
Thomas,  338. 
Washington,  32fi,  327. 
White  or  Yellow  Damson.  334. 
White  Egg,  333. 
White  Imperatrice,  329. 
White  Perdrigon,  334. 
Wild  Plum,  348. 
Yellow  Gage,  329,  330. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

THE   CnffliRT.—  Propagation—  Stocks,   349—  Budding,   350—  Dwarf  cherries,  351— 
Birds  excluded  by  nets,  352  —  Diseases  and  insects,  353. 


VABIETIES.—  Amber  Gean,  362. 
American  Amber,  359. 
American  Heart,  366. 
Arch  Duke,  368. 
Belle  de  Choisy,  368. 
Belle  Magnifique,  368. 
Bigarreau,  363. 
Bigarreau  Grot  Ca.urett  362. 
Black  Bigarreau.  363. 
Black  Corone,  358. 
Black  Eagle,  356. 
Black  Heart,  357. 
Black  Mazzard,  358. 
Black  Tartarian,  357. 
Bleeding  Heart,  358. 
Burr's  Seedling,  366. 
Buttner's  Yellow,  367. 
Carnation,  370. 
China  Bisrarreau,  367. 
Cleveland  Bigarreau,  364. 
Cluster,  371. 
Coe's  Transparent,  358. 


Doctor,  359. 

Downer's  Late,  360. 

Downing's  Red  Cheek,  367. 

Downton,  359. 

Early  May.  371. 

Early  Purple  Guigne,  358. 

Early  White  Heart,  360. 

Elkhorn,  363- 

Elliot's  Favorite.  361. 

Elton,  364 

Florence,  365. 

Gascoine-s  Heart,  358. 

Gridley,  363. 

Graffion,  363. 

Hildesheim,  367. 

Holland  Bigarreau,  365. 

Honey,  "62. 

Hyde's  Red  Heart,  361. 

Jeffrey's  Duke,  370. 

Kentish,  371. 

Rutland's  Mary,  365. 

Knight's  Early  Black,  357 


INDEX CHERRIES— GOOSEBERRIES RASPBERRIES,  ETC.    XHI 


Lady  Southampton's  Yellow,  367. 

Large  Heart-shaped  Bigarreau,  362. 

Large  Red  Bigarreau,  365. 

Late  Duke,  309. 

Le  Mercier,  369. 

Madison  Bigarreau.  367. 

Manning's  Late  Black,  362. 

Manning's  Mottled,  361. 

May  Bjgarreau,  35& 

Miiyduke,  339. 

Morello,  370. 

Napoleon  Bigarreau,  365,  366. 

Ohio  Beauty,  359. 

Oxhearl,  357. 


Pie  Cherry,  371. 
Plumstone  Morello,  370. 
Remington,  367. 
Robert's  Red  Heart,  359. 
Rockport  Bjgarreau,  365,  366. 
Royal  Duke,  369. 
Rumse"'s  Late  Morello,  370. 
Sparhawk's  Honey,  361. 
Sweet  Montmoreucy,  361. 
Transparent  Guigne,  362. 
Waterloo,  357. 
Wendell's  Bigarreau,  363. 
White  Tartarian,  361. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  GOOSEBERRY  AND    CTTRRAWT. — The    Currant,   372 — Propagation  and  culture, 
372 — preserving  fresh,  373. 

VARIETIES.— Black  Naples,  374.  May's  Victoria,  373. 

Champagne,  373.  Red  Dutch,  373. 

Cherry,  373.  Striped  Fruited,  373- 

Common  Black.  374.  White  Grape,  373. 

Knight's  Early  Red,  373.  White  Dutch,  373. 

Knight's  Sweet  Red,  373. 

The  Gooseberry,  374 — Productiveness,  374 — Propagation,  875. 

VARIETIES. — Crown  Bob,  376.  Roaring  Lion,  376. 

Houghton's  JSeedlin  ,  377.  Willinglon's  Glory,  377. 

Park.nson's  Laurel,  377.  Whitesmith,  376. 

Red  Warrington,  376. 

CHAPTER   IX. 
THE  RASPBERRY. — Propagation  and  culture,  378 — Pruning  and  training,  379.- 


VARIETIES. — American  Black,  380. 
American  Red,  350 
American  White,  380. 
Barnet,  380- 
Slack  Cap,  380. 
Col.  Wilder,  380. 
Cretan  Red,  380. 


Fastolff,  380 
Franconia,  380. 
Ohio  Everbearing,  381 
Red  Antwerp,  381. 
Thimble-berry,  380. 
Yellow  Antwerp,  381. 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE  STRAWBERRY. — Soil  and  culture,   382 — Alternate  strips,  383 — Producti 
334 — Staminate  and  pistillate  Sowers,  384. 


VARIETIES  —  Austrian  Scarlet,  336. 
Bishop's  Orange,  387. 
Black  Prince,  389. 
Boston  Pine,  388. 
Brewer's  Emperor,  388. 
British  Queen,  389. 
Burr's  New  Pine,  390. 
Burr's  Staminate  Seedling,  387. 
Bu*h  Alpine,  391. 
Crimson  Cone,  3?8. 
Deptford  Pine,  389. 
Duke  of  Kent,  366. 
Dundee,  388. 
Elton,  387. 

Grove  End  Scarlet,  .387. 
Hovey's  Seedling.  390. 
Hudson,  338. 


Keene's  Seedling,  389. 
Large  Early  Scarlet,  387. 
Methven,  3S8. 
Myall's  Eliza,  389. 
Neck  Pine,  390. 
Old  Pine,  389. 
Prince  Albert,  389. 
Prolific  Hauibois,  391. 
Red  Alpine,  391. 
Red  Wood,  391. 
Roseberry,  388. 
Ross  Phoenix,  389. 
Swainstone  Seedling,  389. 
White  Alpine,  391. 
While  Wood,  391. 
Willey,  388. 
Wilmot's  Superb,  391. 


XIV  INDEX — GRAPES. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

THE  GRAPE.— Propagation— Soil,  392— Pruning,   393— Grape  houses,  394— Manage- 
ment, 395. 

VARIETIES.— Alexander,  396.  Grizzly  Frontignan,  401. 

American  Muscadine,  398.  Herbemont,  397. 

Black  Cluster.  398.  Hyde's  Eliza,  397. 

Black  Hamburg,  398.  Isabella,  397. 

Black  Portugal,  399.  July,  399. 

Black  Prince.  399.  Lenoir,'397. 

Black  St.  Peter's,  399.  Missouri,  397. 

Bland,  396.  Norton's,  397. 

Burgundy,  398.  Ohio,  398. 

Cambridge  Black,  399.  Pitmaston  White  Cluster,  399. 

Cannon-Hall  Muscat,  400.  Powell,  396. 

Cape  Grape,  396.  Red  Hamburgh,  398. 

Catawba,  396.  Royal  Muscadine,  399. 

Charles  worth  Tokay,  399.  Scuppernong,  398. 

Chasselas  de  Bar  Sur  Aube,  400.  Syrian,  400. 

Clinton,  397.  Tottenham  Park  Muscat,  400. 

Diana,  397.  While  Frontignan,  401. 

Early  Black  July,  399.  White  Muscadine,  401. 

Early  Sweetwater,  401.  White  Muscat  of  Alexandria,  400. 

Early  White  Malvasia,  399.  White  Nice,  401. 

Elsinborough,  397.  White  Sweetwater,  401. 

Elsinburgh,  397.  White  Tokay,  401. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Select  Lists  of  Fruits,  adapted  to  different  localities,  402. 
Pronunciation  of  foreign  names,  408. 
Glossary  of  terms  used  in  Fruit  Culture,  406. 


CHAPTER  I. 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS. 


THE  climate  and  soil  of  our  country  afford  unequalled  fa- 
cilities for  the  cultivation  of  fruit.  A  rich  treasure  lies 
within  the  reach  of  its  inhabitants,  in  the  profusion  of  de- 
licious kinds,  which  successive  months  may  be  made  to  sup- 
ply. Yet,  a  small  portion  have  availed  themselves  fully  of 
these  advantages.  Even  the  existence  of  most  of  the  finer  va- 
rieties, are  but  partially  known.  The  rapid  increase  of  fruit 
culture  within  the  past  few  years,  has  but  thinly  spread 
its  bounties  over  a  widely  expanded  and  thickly  peopled 
territory. 

In  traversing  the  country,  neat  cottages  and  comfortable 
farm-houses  are  seen  everywhere  interspersed,  and  plenty 
is  indicated  by  loaded  orchards  and  abundant  harvests.  But 
how  many  of  the  prosperous  owners  are  aware  of  the  rare 
delicacies  their  fertile  lands  are  capable  of  yielding  ?  How 
many  of  them,  for  instance,  are  familiar  with  that  perfumed, 
golden,  midsummer  fruit,  the  apricot  ?  What  portion  cul- 
tivate enough  of  the  best  peaches  to  obtain  "  from  the  loaded 
bough  the  mellow  shower,"  for  ten  successive  weeks? 
What  number  know  that  plums,  rich,  juicy,  and  bloom- 
dusted,  may  be  had  fresh  from  the  tree,  from  early  wheat 
harvest  till  the  ground  freezes  in  autumn  ?  Who  among 
them  partake  of  the  twenty  best  melting  pears,  out  of  the 
thousand  varieties  which  have  borne  fruit  in  this  country? 
And  especially,  who  practically  knows,  that  a  whole  yearly 
circle  of  fruits  is  within  his  reach,  beginning  with  the  most 
refreshing  strawberries,  raspberries,  and  cherries,  for  early 
summer ;  including  the  richest  plums,  apricots,  peaches,  and 
nectarines,  for  summer  and  autumn  ;  and  closing  with  high- 
flavored  pears  and  apples,  extending  their  season  of  ripen- 
ing through  all  autumn  and  winter,  and  far  into  the  sue- 


14  PROFITS  OF  FRUIT  CULTURE. 

ceeding  year  ?  Happily,  the  number  of  cultivators  is  rapidly 
increasing,  who  may  place  upon  their  tables  many  delicious 
sorts,  on  almost  any  day  of  the  entire  year. 

The  cultivation  of  fruit  has  been  retarded  by  a  mistaken 
estimate  of  the  time  required  for  young  trees  to  come  into 
bearing.  But  this  error  is  fast  disappearing  before  skilful 
culture.  It  is  become  well  known,  that  he  who  plants  trees, 
plants  for  himself,  as  well  as  for  his  children.  Bad  treat- 
ment may  long  retard  the  growth  and  bearing  of  a  tree. 
Enveloped  in  weeds  and  grass,  what  young  plant  could 
flourish  ?  What  farmer  would  think  a  moment  of  raising 
good  corn  in  the  thick  and  tall  grass  of  a  meadow  ?  No 
wonder,  then,  that  a  young  tree,  similarly  treated,  lingers 
in  feebleness  and  disease.  But  give  it  for  a  few  years  a 
mellow,  clean,  and  fertile  soil,  and  vigorous  shoots,  and  ex- 
panding branches,  will  soon  bend  under  copious  loads  of 
fruit.  To  adduce  instances, — in  a  single  garden,  apple 
trees,  the  fifth  year  from  setting  out,  yielded  a  bushel  each  ; 
peach  trees,  the  third  summer,  bore  three  pecks  ;  and  a 
Bartlett  pear,  two  years  from  transplanting,  gave  a  peck  of 
superb  fruit ;  none  of  them  were  an  inch  in  diameter  when 
transplanted,  nor  was  their  treatment  better  than  that  which 
every  good  farmer  gives  his  carrots  and  potatoes. 
PROFITS. 

It  can  be  hardly  necessary,  with  our  present  rapidly  in- 
creasing commerce  in  fruit,  to  point  out  the  pecuniary  pro- 
fits resulting  from  its  culture.  But  those  who  have  only 
raised  the  more  common,  or  second-rate  sorts,  can  hardly 
appreciate  the  heavy  returns  from  the  finest,  under  the  best 
culture.  To  such,  a  few  examples  may  be  interesting.* 

C.  A.  Cable,. of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  obtained  in  1S45,  from 
an  orchard  of  one  hundred  cherry  trees,  twenty  years  old, 
more  than  one  thousand  dollars.  The  trees  were  twenty- 
five  feet  apart,  and  no  other  crop  occupied  the  ground,  which 
•was  enriched  and  kept  well  cultivated. 

Hill  Pennell,  of  Darby,  Pa.,  sold  in  1846,  two  hundred 
and  twenty-five  dollars  worth  of  early  apples,  from  half  an 
acre. 

A  farmer  near  Fishkill,  N.  Y.  sold   fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars worth  of  plums  in  a  single  season.     Richard  I.  Hand, 
*  Taken  chiefly  from  the  "  Horticulturist." 


PROFITS    OF  FRUIT  CULTURE.  15 

of  Mendon,  Monroe  county,  N.  Y.,  sold  in  1845,  four  hun- 
dred and  forty  dollars  worth  of  Roxbury  Russet  and  Nor- 
thern Spy  apples  from  one  acre  of  orchard. 

James  Laws,  of  Philadelphia,  sold  three  hundred  dollars 
worth  of  Isabella  and  Catawba  grapes,  the  fourth  year  from 
planting,  from  three-eighths  of  an  acre,  or  at  the  rate  of  eight 
hundred  dollars  per  acre. 

Hugh  Hatch,  of  Camden,  N.  J.,  obtained  from  four  trees 
of  the  Tewksbury  Blush,  one  hundred  and  forty  bushels  of 
apples,  or  thirty-five  from  each  tree  ;  of  these  ninety  baskets 
(of  about  three  pecks  each)  sold  late  in  the  following  spring 
for  one  dollar  per  basket. 

Examples  almost  beyond  number  may  be  given  where  sin- 
gle trees  have  yielded  from  five  to  ten  dollars  a  year  in  fruit, 
and  many  instances  where  twenty  or  thirty  dollars  have  been 
obtained.  An  acre  of  such  would  be  equal  to  any  of  the 
preceding  instances.  If  one  tree  of  the  Rhode  Island  Green- 
ing will  afford  forty  bushels  of  fruit,  at  a  quarter  of  a  dollar 
per  bushel,  which  has  often  occurred,  forty  such  trees  on  an 
acre  would  yield  a  crop  worth  four  hundred  dollars.  But 
taking  but  one  quarter  of  this  amount  as  a  low  average  for 
all  seasons  and  with  imperfect  cultivation,  one  hundred  dol- 
lars would  still  be  equal  to  the  interest  on  fifteen  hundred 
per  acre.  Now,  this  estimate  is  based  upon  the  price  of 
good  winter  apples  for  the  past  thirty  years,  in  our  most  pro- 
ductive districts  ;  let  a  similar  calculation  be  made  with 
fruits  rarer  and  of  a  more  delicious  character.  Apricots,  and 
the  finer  varieties  of  the  plum,  are  often  sold  for  three  to  six 
dollars  per  bushel ;  the  best  early  peaches  from  one  to  three 
dollars  ;  and  pears,  from  hardy  and  productive  trees,  for  an 
equal  amount.  Of  the  three  former  kinds,  t\vo  to  five  bushels 
per  tree,  with  good  management,  is  a  frequent  crop  ;  and 
on  large  pear  trees  five  times  this  quantity.  An  acquain- 
tance received  eight  dollars  for  a  crop  grown  on  two  fine 
young  cherry  trees,  and  twenty-four  dollars  from  four  }~oung 
peach  trees,  of  only  six  years  growth  from  the  bud.  In 
western  New- York,  single  trees  of  the  Doyenne  or  Virgalieu 
pear  have  often  afforded  a  return  of  twenty  dollars  or  more, 
after  being  sent  hundreds  of  miles  to  market.  An  acre  of 
such  trees,  well  managed,  would  far  exceed  in  profits  a  fine 
hundred-acre  farm. 


16  PROFITS    OF    FRUIT    CULTURE. 

But  the  anxious  inquiry  is  suggested,  "  Will  not  our  mar- 
kets be  surfeited  with  fruit?"  This  will  depend  upon  the 
judgment  and  discretion  of  cultivators.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  peaches  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  strawberries 
of  Cincinnati,  a  great  deficiency  is  still  felt  in  all  our  large 
cities.  Of  these  two  fruits,  large  plantations  are  brought 
rapidly  into  full  bearing.  The  fruit,  when  ripe,  quickly 
perishes,  and  cannot  be  kept  a  week  ;  yet  thousands  of  acres 
in  peach  trees,  bending  under  their  heavy  crops,-are  needed 
for  the  consumption  of  the  one  city,  and  broad  fifty-acre  fields, 
reddened  with  enormous  products,  send  many  hundred  bush- 
els of  strawberries  daily  into  the  other.  If,  instead  of  keep- 
ing but  three  days,  sorts  were  now  added  which  would  keep 
three  months,  many  times  the  amount  would  be  needed. 
But  the  market  would  not  be  confined  to  large  cities.  Rail- 
roads and  steamboats  would  open  new  channels  of  distribu- 
tion throughout  the  country,  for  increased  supplies.  Nor 
would  the  business  stop  here.  Large  portions  of  the  eastern 
continent  would  gladly  become  purchasers,  as  soon  as  suffi- 
cient quantities  should  create  facilities  for  a  resonable  sup- 
ply. Our  best  apples  are  already  eagerly  bought  in  London 
and  Liverpool,  where  nine  dollars  per  barrel  is  not  an  unu- 
sual price  for  the  best  J^ewtown  pippins.  And  by  packing 
in  ice,  Doyenne  pears,  gathered  early  in  autumn  in  New- 
York,  have  been  sold  at  mid-winter  in  Calcutta — peaches 
have  been  safely  sent  to  Jamaica — and  strawberries  to  Bar- 
badoes.  The  Baldwin  apple  has  been  furnished  in  good 
condition  in  the  East  Indies,  two  months  after  it  is  entirely 
gone  at  Boston.* 

Good  winter  apples  always  command  a  market.  For  the 
past  thirty  years  such  fine  varieties  as  the  Swaar,  Rhode 
Island  Greening,  and  Esopus  Spitzenburgh,  have  scarcely 
varied  from  twenty-five  cents  a  bushel  in  some  of  the  most 
productive  portions  of  the  country,  remote  from  market. 
Late  keepers  are  sold  early  in  the  summer  for  more  than 
triple  that  sum.  An  acre  of  forty  trees,  with  good  culture, 
will  average  through  all  seasons  not  less  than  two  hundred 
bushels,  or  fifty  dollars  a  year.  Instances  are  frequent  of 
thrice  this  amount.  The  farmer,  then,  who  sets  out  twenty 
acres  of  good  apple  orchard,  and  takes  care  of  it,  may  expect 

*  Hort.  vol.  I,  p.  288. 


PROFITS    OF    FRUIT    CULTURE.  17 

it  no  remote  period  a  yearly  return  of  five  to  fifteen  hundred 
dollars  a  year,  and  even  more,  if  a  considerable  portion  is 
occupied  with  late  keepers.  This  is,  it  is  true,  much  more 
than  the  majority  obtain ;  but  the  majority  wholly  neglect 
cultivating  and  enriching  the  soils  of  their  orchards. 

It  is  not,  however,  merely  as  a  source  of  income,  that  the 
cultivation  of  the  finer  kinds  become  profitable.  The  family 
which  is  at  all  times  supplied  with  delicious  and  refreshing 
fruit  from  its  own  gardens,  has  within  its  reach  not  only  a 
very  important  means  of  economy,  but  of  real  domestic  com- 
fort. An  influence  is  thus  introduced  of  an  exalted  charac- 
ter ;  a  tendency  is  directly  exerted  towards  the  improvement 
of  the  manners  of  the  people.  Every  addition  to  the  at- 
tractions of  home,  has  a  salutary  bearing  on  a  rising  family 
of  children.  The  difference  between  a  dwelling  with  well 
planted  grounds,  and  well  furnished  with  every  rural  enjoy- 
ment, and  another  where  scarcely  a  single  fruit  tree  softens 
the  face  of  bleakness  and  desolation,  may,  in  many  instances, 
and  to  many  a  young  man  just  approaching  active  life,  serve 
as  the  guiding  influence  between  a  useful  life  on  the  one 
hand,  or  a  roving  and  unprofitable  one  on  the  other — be- 
tween a  life  of  virtue  and  refinement  from  early  and  favora- 
ble influences,  or  one  of  dissipation  and  ruin  from  the  over- 
balancing effects  of  a  repulsive  home.  Nor  can  any  man, 
even  in  the  noon  or  approaching  evening  of  life,  scarcely 
fail  to  enjoy  a  higher  happiness,  with  at  least  an  occasional 
intercourse  with  the  blossoming  and  loaded  trees  which  his 
own  hand  has  planted  and  pruned,  than  in  the  noise  of  the 
crowd  and  tumult  of  the  busy  world. 


CHAPTER  II. 


HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,  AND    NOMENCLATURE. 


THE  earliest  fruits  mentioned  in  history,  are  the  grape, 
the  apple,  and  the  fig,  the  former  having  been  cultivated 
about  the  time  of  the  deluge.  The  almond  is  mentioned  re- 
peatedly in  the  sacred  records,  nearly  4000  years  ago  ;  and 
Theophrastus,  who  lived  about  300  years  before  the  Chris- 
tian era,  remarks  that  it  was  the  only  tree  in  Greece  that 
produced  blossoms  before  the  leaves ;  hence  we  may  safely 
infer  that  the  peach  was  then  unknown.  The  fact  that  the 
Jewish  history  no  where  speaks  of  the  peach,  indicates  that 
it  was  not  a  native  of  Persia,  a  country  long  inhabited  by 
that  people.*  It  was  doubtless,  however,  early  intioduced 
there.  It  was  known  to  the  Romans  at  the  height  of  their 
power,  and  the  nectarine  was  spoken  of  by  Columella  and 
by  Pliny,  as  an  admired  fruit  of  their  time. 

The  Romans  extended  their  conquests  into  nearly  all  parts 
of  the  knoxvn  world,  and  brought  back  the  horticultural  pro- 
ductions adapted  to  the  climate  of  Italy.  The  fig  was  ob- 
tained from  Syria,  the  peach  from  Persia,  the  citron  from 
Media,  the  pommegranate  from  Africa,  the  apricot  from 
Epirus,  apples,  pears,  and  plums,  from  Armenia,  and  cher- 
ries from  Pontus.  When  the  Empire  was  at  the  height  of 
its  power,  or  towards  the  close  of  the  first  century,  the  fol- 
lowing fruits,  cultivated  at  Rome,  were  enumerated  by  Pliny : 

Apples,  22  varieties  ; 

Pears,     36 

Cherries,  8 

Quinces,   3          " 

Grapes,  numerous  varieties  ; 

Plutns,  many  sorts,  black,  white,  and  variegated ; 

*  It  is  found  wild  on  the  Himalayan  mountains,  whence  it  was  probably  carried  tc 
Persia,  and  to  other  parts  of  the  world. 


HISTORY,  IMPROVEMENT,  AND  NOMENCLATURE.  19 

Figs,  many;  black  and  white,  large  and  small; 

Almonds,  sweet  and  bitter  ; 

Medlars,  larger  and  smaller  ; 

Mulberries,  two  black  varieties  ; 

Nuts,  hazel  and  filberts  ; 

Strawberries,  and  Apricots. 

The  orange  is  supposed  to  have  been  introduced  at  Rome 
at  a  later  period. 

The  art  of  Grafting,  so  indispensible  to  the  diffusion  oi 
the  finer  fruits,  was  well  known  to  the  ancients,  but  its  ori- 
gin is  hid  in  the  obscurity  of  antiquity.  It  does  not  appear 
to  have  been  known  in  the  age  of  Homer,  and  is  thought  to 
have  been  first  practiced  not  far  from  the  time  of  Hesiod.  It 
was  familiar  to  the  ancient  Greeks  of  a  later  period ;  and  the 
Roman  writers  describe  a  great  variety  of  modes,  quite 
as  ingenious  as  the  fanciful  variations  now  used  by  gar- 
deners. 

The  statements  of  ancient  writers,  when  not  confined  to 
simple  historical  record,  partook  largely  of  the  conjectural, 
and  frequently  of  the  marvellous.  Hence  we  find  Pliny  as- 
serting that  when  plums  were  grafted  upon  apple  stocks, 
they  produced  what  were  called  apple-plums ;  and  upon 
almond  stocks,  they  yielded  a  fruit  of  a  compound  nature, 
the  stone  being  like  that  of  the  almond.  And  Virgil,  with 
a  little  more  poetical  freedom,  speaks  of  grafting  apples  on 
planes ;  of  adorning  the  wild  ash  with  the  blossoms  of  the 
pear  ;  and  represents  swine  as  crunching  acorns  under  elms. 

After  the  fall  of  the  Empire,  the  reign  of  violence  nearly 
extinguished  the  taste  for  the  improvements  of  gardening, 
and  destroyed  the  means  of  enjoying  rural  life.  Nearly  the 
only  exceptions  were  furnished  by  the  monks,  who  labored 
with  their  own  hands  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

At  the  close  of  the  eighth  century,  Charlemagne  recom- 
mended the  culture  of  apples,  pears,  and  plums,  and  gave 
great  encouragement  to  the  establishment  of  orchards  and 
vineyards.  His  friendly  intercourse  with  the  Saracenic 
prince,  Haroun  al  Raschid,  enabled  him  to  procure  and  in- 
troduce into  France,  the  best  sorts  of  melons,  figs,  peaches, 
and  other  fruits,  in  existence  at  that  time. 

When  Europe  gradually  emerged  from  the  night  of  the 
dark  ages,  the  increased  light  diffused  by  the  spread  of  lite- 


20  HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,    AND    NOMENCLATURE. 

rature  and  science,  was  accompanied  with  a  corresponding 
increase  in  the  arts  of  cultivation.  We  have  but  little  in- 
formation, however,  on  this  subject,  till  about  three  hun- 
dred years  ago.  England,  France,  and  the  Low  Countries, 
seem  to  have  taken  the  lead  in  improvement.  The  earliest 
British  writer  on  the  culture  of  fruit,  was  Richard  Arnold, 
who  published  a  chapter  in  his  "  Chronicles,"  in  1502,  "On 
the  crafte  of  graftynge  and  plantynge,  and  alterynge  of 
fruits,  as  well  in  color  as  in  taste."  He  was  succeeded  about 
1538,  by  Tusser,  who  mentions  apples,  pears,  peaches,  apri- 
cots, cherries,  plums,  grapes,  medlars,  barberries,  filberts, 
gooseberries,  raspberries,  and  strawberries.  The  fig,  the 
orange,  and  the  pommegranate,  were  introduced  about  the 
same  period  ;  so  that,  by  the  middle  of  the  sixteenth  century 
there  were  cultivated  all  the  kinds  or  primary  varieties 
known  at  the  present  day. 

Tusser  was  followed  in  1597,  by  Gerard,  and  in  1629,  by 
Parkinson.  The  former  thus  speaks  of  the  apple  of  his 
time  : — 

"  The  fruit  of  apples  do  differ  in  greatness,  form,  color, 
and  taste ;  some  covered  with  a  red  skin,  others  yellow  or 
green,  varying  exceedingly;  some  very  great,  some  little, 
and  many  of  a  middle  sort ;  some  are  sweet  of  taste,  or 
something  sour  ;  most  are  of  a  middle  taste,  between  sweet 
and  sour ;  the  which  to  distinguish  I  think  it  impossible, 
notwithstanding  I  hear  of  one  that  intended  to  write  a  pe- 
culiar volume,  of  apples,  and  the  use  of  them." 

The  number  of  varieties  described  or  mentioned  by  Par- 
kinson in  1629,  show  their  cultivation  to  have  become  ex- 
tensive ;  among  them  were, 

Apples,        58  varieties ; 

Pears,  64 

Plums,          61 

Peaches,       21          " 

Cherries,      36 

Grapes,         23 

Nectarines,    5         " 

Apricots,        6 

Figs,  3 

Parkinson  was  followed  by  Evelyn,  who  flourished  during 
the  middle  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  gave  by  his 


HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,    AND    NOMENCLATURE.  21 

writings  and  active  influence,  a  great  impetus  to  rural  cul- 
ture. The  great  Brompton  Nursery  of  Loudon  and  Wise, 
during  the  early  part  of  the  eighteenth  century,  dissemina- 
ted vast  quantities  of  fruit  trees  over  the  kingdom.  Miller 
published  his  Gardeners'  Dictionary  in  1724 ;  Forsyth  his 
Treatise  on  Fruit  Trees  in  1791.  The  London  Horticultu- 
ral Society  was  instituted  early  in  the  present  century,  and 
in  connexion  with  the  earlier  investigations  of  its  president, 
Thomas  Andrew  Knight,  and  the  later  and  unwearied  labors 
of  Robert  Thompson,  it  has  poured  a  flood  of  light  on  the 
science  of  cultivation,  and  on  the  "nomenclature  of  fruits. 

The  Dutch  made  early  advancement  in  the  cultivation  of 
fruit,  and  at  the  close  of  the  sixteenth  century,  they  were 
familiar  with  the  principal  kinds  of  fruit  now  cultivated, 
except"  the  pine  apple,  which  was  newly  introduced  into 
Belgium  and  England  about  that  time.  The  French  made 
a  nearly  similar  progress.  Quintinge,  during  the  reign  of 
Louis  XIV.,  or  during  the  latter  part  of  the  17th  century, 
did  much  for  the  art  by  his  writings  and  labors,  and  de- 
veloped an  excellent  system  of  pruning,  which  has  sin^e 
proved  of  the  highest  importance  in  the  cultivation  of  wall 
and  espalier  trees. 

In  the  United  States,  the  art,  and  the  materials  for  its 
practice,  have  been  mostly  derived  from  England,  and  to  a 
considerable  extent  from  France  and  Germany.  Many  of 
the  best  European  varieties  have  proved  to  be  fine  fruits 
here,  but  a  larger  portion  do  not  appear  well  fitted  to  our 
climate ;  and  most  of  our  richest  varieties  of  apples  and 
peaches  are  of  American  origin. 

The  gradual  progress  of  pomology  is  indicated  in  part  by 
the  increasing  number  of  varieties  successively  named  or 
described  by  the  various  authors  for  the  past  few  centuries. 
Apples  "  of  all  sorts  "  are  mentioned  by  Tusser ;  Parkinson 
enumerates  sixty-seven  ;  Hartlib,  in  1650,  alluded  to  one 
cultivator  who  possessed  two  hundred,  and  believed  there 
were  not  less  than  five  hundred ;  Ray,  in  1668,  says  there 
were  seventy-eight  cultivated  in  the  London  nurseries  ;  For- 
syth, in  1806,  describes  a  hundred  and  ninety-six  kinds ; 
George  Lindley,  in  1831,  minutely  and  accurately  described 
two  hundred  and  fourteen  ;  while  the  Fruit  Catalogue  of 
the  London  Horticultural  Society  gives  a  list  of  fourteen 


22  HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,    AND    NOMENCLATURE. 

hundred  varieties,  collected  and  cultivated  by  that  society, 
three-fourths  of  which  were  found  to  be  either  the  same 
fruit  under  different  names,  or  else  unworthy  of  cultivation. 
The  same  remark  will  apply,  at  least  in  part,  to  the  many 
hundreds  offered  for  sale  in  the  United  St'ates. 

A  similar  progress,  less  in  degree,  is  indicated  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  pear.  Tusser  speaks  of  "  all  sorts  ;"  Parkin- 
son enumerates  sixty-four  varieties ;  Miller  eighty ;  and 
Lindley  describes  one  hundred  and  sixty-two. 

Most  of  these  writers  also  mention  numerous  varieties  of 
the  cherry  and  plurn. 

Gerard  describes  the  early,  and  the  white,  red,  and  yel- 
low peaches,  and  says  there  were  many  others ;  Parkinson 
enumerates  twenty-one;  Miller  thirty-one  ;  Lindley  describes 
sixty  ;  and  in  this  country,  more  favorable  to  the  peach  than 
England,  there  are  probably  not  less  than  two  or  three  hun- 
dred known  and  named  varieties. 

Eminent  advantages  have  resulted  from  the  application  of 
scientific  principles,  by  Lindley,  Knight  and  others,  in  the 
propagation  of  improved  varieties.  Several  hundred  new 
pears  some  of  them  of  fine  quality,  were  obtained  by 
Van  Mons  of  Belgium,  by  a  successive  selection  of  im- 
proved seedlings  ;  and  Knight,  in  England,  has  produced 
some  of  the  finest  varieties  of  the  cherry,  plum,  and  apple, 
by  a  cross  fertilization  of  old  sorts. 

One  of  the  greatest  difficulties  yet  remaining,  is  the  con- 
fusion in  the  names  of  varieties.  The  very  slight  shades  of 
difference  in  some ;  the  unsuccessful  attempts  at  accurately 
defining  these  shades  in  wrritten  descriptions ;  and  the 
changes  produced  by  soil,  situation,  climate,  and  culture, 
have  largely  increased  the  difficulty.  This  confusion  has 
been  augmented  by  the  multitude  of  names  given  in  some 
instances  to  a  single  fruit.  The  celebrated  White  Doyenne 
or  Virgalieu  pear,  is  variously  known  by  thirty  different 
names ;  the  Brown  Beurre,  fourteen ;  several  others  have 
nearly  an  equal  number.  The  confusion  from  various  ap- 
plications of  these  different  names  by  different  cultivators, 
may  be  easily  imagined.  The  varieties  of  the  peach  which 
Lindley,  an  eminent  British  writer,  describes  as  Grosse  Mig- 
nonne,  Neil's  Early  Purple,  Pourpree  Hative,  Royal  Ken- 
sington, and  Superb  Royal,  are  all  described  as  a  single  va- 


HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,    AND    NOMENCLATURE.  23 

riety  by  Mclntosh,  another  British  writer,  under  the  name 
Grosse  Mignonne,  to  which  he  adds  twenty-seven  synonyms. 
The  labors  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society  have  con- 
tributed much  towards  removing  the  bewildering  confusion 
into  which  the  numerous  fruits  and  their  names  were  thrown. 
Large  collections  were  made  from  different  countries  ;  and 
by  a  careful  and  minute  examination  for  many  successive 
years,  innumerable  mistakes  were  corrected.  The  Massa- 
chusetts Horticultural  Society,  at  Boston,  in  connection  with 
the  labors  of  the  late  Robert  Manning,  of  Salem,  (whose 
collection  of  pears  alone  contained  eight  hundred  sorts,)  have 
tended  greatly  towards  the  same  useful  end  in  this  country. 
The  subject  is  also  receiving  much  attention  in  various  parts 
of  the  United  States.  The  indispensible  necessity  of  a  more 
thorough  examination  of  fruits  by  those  who  propagate  them 
for  sale,  is  more  appreciated  and  becoming  reduced  to  prac- 
tice. Many  extensive  private  collections  of  American  and 
European  fruits  have  recently  been  made,  or  greatly  aug- 
mented, for  the  purpose  of  a  more  thorough  examination, 
comparison,  and  selection  of  varieties.  These,  in  connec- 
tion with  the  increased  facilities  for  an  interchange  of  fruits 
and  information,  cannot  fail  to  pour  a  flood  of  light  upon  the 
darkness  which  has  so  long  enveloped  this  branch  of  the 
subject;  to  lead  to  a  greater  uniformity  in  names,  and  ac- 
curacy in  their  application  ;  to  point  out  those  only  which 
are  worthy  of  general  cultivation,  and  to  lead  to  the  rejec- 
tion of  the  hundreds,  which,  possessing  good  qualities,  do  not 
come  up  to  the  high  standard  of  excellence  which  should  be 
adopted  by  every  enlightened  cultivator  and  disseminator  of 
fruits. 


CHAPTER  III. 


PRODUCTION    OF    NEW    VARIETIES. 


THE  tendency  is  more  or  less  common  with  all  plants,  when 
successively  produced  from  seed,  to  depart  from  the  charac- 
ter first  stamped  upon  them.  These  departures  give  rise 
to  new  varieties.  In  their  native  forests,  many  trees  and 
plants  do  not  exhibit  these  changes,  either  because  they  are 
slight  and  obscure,  or  in  consequence  of  the  inflexible  nature 
of  the  species.  With  others,  varieties  are  conspicuous  ; 
examples  of  which  may  be  seen  in  the  White  Spruce,  a  part 
of  the  trees  presenting  rigid,  erect  branches,  in  contrast 
with  the  drooping  aspect  of  others  ;  in  the  American  Elm, 
the  branches,  in  rare  instances,  being  as  pendant  as  the 
weeping  willow ;  in  the  more  brilliant  glow  of  red  flowers 
on  some  trees  of  the  Red  Maple  ;  and  in  the  diversity  of 
size,  form,  and  flavor  of  the  wild  plum  of  the  woods. 

This  tendency  to  vary  is  increased  as  plants  are  removed 
from  their  native  localities  ;  and  in  an  eminent  degree  by 
cultivation.  Planted  in  gardens,  and  subjected  to  high 
culture,  repeated  and  successive  sowings  often  develope 
striking  changes  from  the  appearances  which  for  previous 
centuries  had  remained  unchanged.  By  a  constant  selec- 
tion of  seeds  from  the  best,  a  gradual  improvement  on  the 
original  is  effected.  Most  of  our  finest  fruits,  doubtless  owe 
their  existence  to  this  improving  process.* 

"  If,"  says  Downing,  "  we  sow  a  quantity  of  seed  in  gar- 

*  The  distinction  between  species  and  varieties  should  be  well  understood.  A  single 
species,  or  original,  distinct,  individual  plnnt,  often  includes  many  varieties.  All  the 
varieties  of  one  species,  are  from  the  same  original  plant;  the  thousands  which 
have  been  named  of  the  single  species,  the  apple,  are  but  a  small  portion  of  the  myri- 
ads which  have  been  actually  produced.  Successive  plantings  have  given  us  sorts 
as  different  in  size  as  the  Monstrous  Pippin  and  the  minute  Lady  Apple  ;  or  as 
remote  in  flavor  as  the  harsh  and  astringent  Hewes  Crab,  and  the  rich  and  honied 
Bough.  But  widely  different  as  these  may  be,  they  can  never  pass  the  boundary  of 
the  species — an  apple  can  never  be  changed  to  a  pear,  a  cherry  to  a  plum,  nor  a 
gooseberry  to  a  currant. 


HISTORY,   IMPROVEMENT,  AND  NOMENCLATURE.  25 

den  soil,  of  the  common  black  mazzard  cherry,  we  shall 
find  that,  in  the  leaves  and  habit  of  growth,  many  of  the 
seedlings  do  not  entirely  resemble  the  original.  When  they 
come  into  bearing,  it  is  probable  we  shall  also  find  as  great 
a  diversity  in  the  size,  color,  and  flavor  of  the  fruit,  though 
only  a  few,  perhaps  only  one,  may  be  superior  to  the  origi- 
nal species. 

"  Exactly  in  proportion  as  this  reproduction  is  frequently 
repeated,  is  the  change  to  a  great  variety  of  forms,  or  new 
sorts,  increased.  It  is  likely,  indeed,  that  to  gather  the 
seeds  from  the  wild  mazzard  of  the  woods,  the  instances  ot 
departure  from  the  form  of  the  original  species  would  be 
very  few  ;  while  if  gathered  from  a  garden  tree,  itself  some- 
time cultivated,  or  several  removes  from  a  wild  state,  though 
still  a  mazzard,  the  seedlings  will  show  great  variety  of 
character. 

"  Once  in  the  possession  of  a  variety  which  has  moved  out 
of  the  natural  into  a  more  domesticated  form,  we  have  in 
our  hands  the  best  material  for  the  improving  process.  The 
fixed  original  habit  of  the  species  is  broken  in  upon,  and  this 
variety  which  we  have  created,  has  always  afterwards  some 
tendency  to  make  further  departures  from  the  original  form. 
It  is  true  that  all  or  most  of  its  seedlings  will  still  retain  a 
likeness  to  the  parent,  but  a  few  will  differ  in  some  respects, 
and  it  is  by  seizing  upo'n  those  which  show  symptoms  of 
variation,  that  the  improver  of  vegetable  races  founds  his 
hopes." 

While  a  few  of  the  seedlings  from  such  improved  variety, 
may  become  still  further  improved,  a  far  greater  number 
will  probably  approach  towards  the  original  or  wild  state. 
The  more  highly  improved  the  fruit,  the  greater  the  diffi- 
culty to  find  one  of  its  progeny  which  shall  excel  or  equal 
the  parent.  In  ten  thousand  seedlings  from  those  high- 
flavored  apples,  the  Swaar  and  Esopus  Spitzenburgh,  it  may 
be  quite  doubtful  if  any  shall  equal  in  quality  those  fruits 
themselves,  while  most  may  fall  considerably  below  them. 

The  improvements  effected  in  former  ages  were  doubtless 
the  result  of  accident,  as  the  ancients  were  ignorant  of  the 
means  for  their  systematic  accomplishment.  The  greatest 
progress  in  the  art  made  in  modern  times,  was  effected  by 
Van  Mons  in  Belgium,  and  Knight  in  England. 


26  HISTORY,    IMPROVEMENT,  AND    NOMENCLATURE. 

Van  Mons,  who  directed  his  labors  chiefly  to  the  pear,  pro- 
duced many  new  and  excellent  varieties,  by  a  constant  and 
successive  selection  of  the  best  seedlings.  He  first  made  a 
large  collection  of  natural  stocks,  or  wild  pears,  choosing 
those  which,  from  the  appearance  of  the  wood  and  leaf,  he 
had  reason  to  believe,  would  be  most  likely  to  produce  the 
best  fruit.  As  soon  as  the  first  of  these  bore,  he  selected  the 
best,  and  planted  the  seeds.  Selections  were  again  made, 
from  the  first, of  these,  and  so  on  in  continued  succession  ;  the 
best  and  soonest  in  bearing  were  uniformly  chosen.  He 
thus  obtained  fruit  from  the  eighth  generation ;  each  suc- 
cessive experiment  yielding  an  improved  result  on  the  pre- 
ceding. At  the  fourth  generation  many  of  the  fruits  were 
good,  several  excellent,  but  a  smaller  number  still  bad.  He 
had,  in  the  early  part  of  this  series  of  experiments,  no  less 
than  eighty  thousand  trees  ;  hence  in  selecting  from  so  large 
a  number,  his  chance  for  fine  sorts  was  far  greater  than  from 
a  small  collection  ;  and  hence  too  the  reason  why,  after  sev- 
en or  eight  improving  generations,  he  had  obtained  so  many 
good  varieties.  In  the  early  stages  of  his  operations,  he 
found  "  that  twelve  or  fifteen  years  was  the  mean  term  of 
time,  from  the  moment  of  planting  the  first  seed  of  an  an- 
cient variety  of  the  domestic  pear,  to  the  first  fructification 
of  the  trees  which  sprung  from  them.  The  trees  from  the 
second  sowing,  yielded  their  first  fruit  at  an  age  of  from  ten 
to  twelve  years  ;  those  of  the  third  generation,  at  an  age  of 
from  eight  to  ten  years ;  those  of  the  fourth  generation,  at 
an  age  of  from  six  to  eight  ;  and  those  of  the  fifth  genera- 
tion at  the  age  of  six  years.  Van  Mons,  being  actually  at 
the  eighth  generation,  has  informed  me  that  he  has  obtain- 
ed several  pear  trees  which  fruited  at  the  age  oj  four  years"* 
When  his  seedlings  were  at  the  age  of  three  or  four  years, 
he  was  able  to  judge  of  their  appearances,  though  they  had 
not  as  yet  borne ;  such  only  were  taken  for  further  trial,  as 
enhibited  the  strongest  probability  of  excellence.  It  is  hard- 
ly necessary  to  remark  that  in  all  these  trials,  the  young 
trees  were  kept  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation. 

.Van  Mons  maintained  that  by  selecting  and  planting  the 
seeds  of  the  first  crop  on  the  young  tree,  the  product  would 
be  less  liable  to  run  back  to  the  original  variety,  than  where 

*  Poiteau. 


NEW  VARIETIES  BY  CROSSING.  27 

the  seeds  were  taken  from  the  fruit  of  an  old  bearing  or  graft- 
ed tree  ;  and  to  this  practice  he  chiefly  ascribed  his  success. 
The  many  instances,  however,  of  fine  seedlings  from  old 
grafted  sorts,  throw  a  shade  of  doubt  over  this  theory. 

NEW  VARIETIES    BY    CROSSING. 

A  familiar  instance  of  cross-impregnation  in  plants  occurs 
in  the  Indian  corn.  The  pistillate  or  seed-bearing  flowers 
covering  the  young  ear,  are  remotely  situated  on  the  plant 
from  the  staminate  or  fertilizing  flowers  on  the  summits  or 
ta*sds.  Hence,  from  this  remote  position,  the  pollen  or  fer- 
tilizing dust  from  the  summits  may  not  certainly  fall  on  the 
ear  ;  and  if  different  sorts  grow  near,  a  mixture  will  proba- 
bly result.  It  is  well  known  to  farmers,  that  if  different  sorts, 
as  white,  yellow,  and  purple,  are  planted  in  the  same  field  ; 
or,  if  common  and  sweet  corn  are  planted  together,  each 
sort  no  longer  remains  distinct,  but  each  ear  the  second  year 
is  speckled  with  a  promiscuous  assemblage  of  white,  yellow, 
and  purple,  and  of  common  and  sweet  corn,  of  various  grades. 
In  fruit  trees,  the  stamens  and  pistils  are  in  the  same  flower, 
and  the  chances  of  accidental  mixture  from  other  trees,  be- 
come very  small,  unless  affected  by  insects,  which,  becoming 
thickly  dusted  with  powder  from  one  flower,  plunge  into  the 
recesses  of  another,  and  effect  a  cross-fertilization.  Where 
many  varieties  grow  in  one  garden,  in  close  proximity,  cases 
of  promiscuous  intermixture  are  constantly  occurring,  which 
can  be  developed  only  by  raising  fruit  from  the  seedlings. 
In  the  annexed  figure  of  the  pear  blossom,  (fig.  1,)  the 
<?  five  central  organs,  a,  are  the  pistils  ; 

the  upper  extremity  of  each  is  the 
stigma.  The  surrounding  thread-like 
organs,  i,  are  the  stamtns,  surmount- 
ed by  the  anthers.  The  anthers  are 
little  bags  or  cases  filled  with  the 
pollen  or  fertilizing  dust.  When  the 
flowers  open,  the  anthers  burst,  and 
Fiff-  *•  discharge  the  pollen- on  the  stigma, 

which  operates  on  the  embryo  fruit  at  its  base. 

The  production  of  new  varieties  is  greatly  facilitated  by 
cross-impregnation,  or  by  fertilizing  the  pistil  of  one  variety 
with  the  pollen  of  another.  This  was  performed  with  great 


28  NEW    VARIETIES    BY  CROSSING. 

success  by  Knight.  Selecting  two  varieties,  while  yet  ear- 
ly in  flower,  and  before  the  anthers  had 
J )  burst  and  discharged  the  pollen,  he  cut 
"  out  with  a  fine  pair  of  scissors  all  the 
stamens,  leaving  the  pistils  untouched, 
(fig.  2.)  When  the  stigma  became 
sufficiently  mature,  which  was  indica- 
ted  by  its  glutinous  surface,  he  trans- 
ferred the  pollen  of  the  other  sort,  on 
the  point  of  a  camel's-hair  pencil.  The  fruit,  thus  yielded, 
was  unchanged  ;  but  its  seeds  partook  variously  of  the  nature 
of  both  parents,  and  the  trees  growing  from  them  bore  new 
and  intermediate  varieties. 

For  the  success  of  such  experiments,  several  precautions 
are  requisite.  The  flower  must  be  deprived  of  its  stamens 
before  it  has  fully  expanded,  or  before  the  anthers  have 
already  burst  and  scattered  their  dust  ;  the  pollen  must  be 
procured  from  a  bursting  or  fully  matured  anther,  when  it 
will  be  dry  and  powdery  ;  the  stigma  must  be  inoculated 
as  soon  as  it  becomes  adhesive  or  glutinous,  otherwise  it 
may  be  fertilized  from  another  source,  and  then  the  intend- 
ed pollen  cannot  possibly  take  effect.  For  a  stigma  once 
inoculated,  cannot  be  inoculated  again.  It  is  safest,  where 
practicable,  to  force  the  trees  by  artificial  heat  into  flower- 
ing a  few  days  earlier  than  others,  so  as  to  be  secure  from 
accidental  inoculations  of  pollen  floating  in  the  air ;  and  to 
prevent  its  spread  by  bees,  to  apply  a  temporary  covering  of 
gauze.  A  want  of  attention  to  these  minutia?,  has  led  some 
experimenters  to  fancy  they  had  obtained  crosses,  when 
they  had  only  natural  seedlings.* 

To  obtain  new  varieties  of  certain  desired  qualities,  select 
two  which  possess  those  qualities  separately,  and  seedlings 
from  crossing  will  be  likely  to  exhibit  these  qualities  com- 
bined. Thus,  a  very  early  pear  deficient  in  flavor,  as  the 
Amire  Joannet,  might  furnish  one  of  superior  quality  *by  a 
cross  with  a  better  and  later  sort,  as  Dearborn's  Se'edling. 
Or,  a  small  and  very  rich  pear,  as  the  Seckel,  might  give 
us  one  of  the  larger  size  by  fertilizing  the  Bartlett.  A  slow- 
growing  and  tender  peach,  as  the  Early  Anne,  might  be 
rendered  hardier  and  more  vigorous  by  an  intermixture  with 

*  Pollen  may  be  kept  without  injury  for  months,  if  sealed  air-tight  in  a  small  vial. 


PRODUCTION    OF    NEW    VARIETIES.  29 

che  Early  York  or  Cooledge's  Favorite.  But  it  must  be 
remembered,  that  there  is  a  tendency  in  such  highly  im- 
proved sorts  to  deteriorate,  and  that  out  of  a  large  number 
3f  seedlings,  perhaps  only  one  or  two  may  be  equal  in  fla- 
vor to  the  original. 

Some  of  our  best  fruits  have  resulted  from  artificial  cross- 
ing. Coers  Golden  Drop  plum  was  obtained  by  planting 
seed  of  the  Green  Gage,  impregnated  with  pollen  from  the 
White  Magnum  Bonum  ;  the  Elton  cherry,  from  the  Graffion 
)T  Bigarreau,  fertilized  with  the  White  Heart ;  and  Knight's 
Early  Black  and  Waterloo,  from  the  Mayduke  and  Graffion. 

The  first  crop  of  a  young  seedling  is  not  always  suffi- 
:iently  developed  to  exhibit  its  true  character.  Some  years 
jf  bearing  are  often  essential.  Thus,  the  Black  Eagle,  one 
jf  the  finest  cherries,  when  exhibited  the  first  time  before 
the  London  Horticultural  Society,  was  pronounced  worthless. 

When  a  cross  is  obtained  between  two  different  species, 
instead  of  between  mere  varieties,  it  is  termed  a  hybrid.  But 
while  varieties  of  the  same  species  intermingle  freely,  the 
Dperation  rarely  succeeds  between  fruits  of  different  species. 
The  gooseberry,  currant,  and  black  currant,  species  of  the 
same  genus,  and  nearly  related,  have  never  produced  a  hy- 
brid. Neither  have  any  ever  been  obtained  between  the  ap- 
ple and  the  pear,  or  the  pear  and  the  quince.  But  different 
species  of  other  plants,  as  the  Heaths,  and  some  of  the  Cacti, 
intermingle  freely.  The  Rhododendron  will  fertilize  the 
Azaleas,  and  the  Red  Cedar  has  been  made  to  inoculate  the 
American  Arbor-vitae,  though  both  these  examples  are  be- 
tween plants  of  different  genera.  Hybrids  are  frequently, 
sterile  ;  or  if  they  possess  the  power  of  reproduction  by  seed, 
the  progeny  returns  to  the  state  of  one  or  the  other  of  its 
parents. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


PROPAGATION   BY  BUDDING  AND  GRAFTING   BY  LAYERS  AND 
BY  CUTTINGS. 


WHEN  trees  are  raised  from  seeds,  as  before  stated,  there 
is  no  certainty  that  the  same  identical  variety  will  be  re- 
produced. In  many  cases,  the  shade  of  variation  will  be 
scarcely  perceptible  ;  in  others  it  will  be  wide  and  distinct. 
It  hence  becomes  desirable  in  preventing  a  return  towards 
the  original  wild  state,  or,  in  other  words,  to  perpetuate  the 
identical  individual  thus  highly  improved,  to  adopt  some 
other  mode  of  propagation,  for  the  purpose  of  multiplying  trees 
of  such  varieties  as  possess  a  high  excellence,  instead  of  con- 
stantly creating  new  ones,  with  the  hazard  of  most  of  them 
proving  worthless. 

It  will  be  distinctly  remembered,  that  new  varieties  must 
always  spring  from  seeds  ;  but  the  same  individual  variety 
can  be  multiplied  only  by  separating  the  buds,  or  shoots  bear- 
ing the  buds,  of  such  individual  plant.  As  an  example,  the 
Fall  Pippin,  when  first  produced  from  seed,  was  a  single 
tree  of  a  new  variety.  The  myriads  of  trees  now  existing  of 
this  variety,  are  only  multiplications  of  the  branches  of  the 
original.  This  multiplication  or  propagation  of  varieties,  is 
effected  in  several  ways  :  1,  Cuttings  ;  2,  Layers  ;  3,  Graft- 
ing ;  4,  Budding.  Without  these  means  of  propagation, 
such  delicious  sorts  as  the  Green  Gage  plum,  the  Elton  cher- 
ry, and  ihe  Seckel  pear,  could  never  have  been  tasted  ex- 
cept as  picked  from  the  single  parent  tree. 

In  the  multitude  of  different  modes  of  grafting  and  bud- 
ding, success  must  depend  on  the  observance  of  certain  fun- 
damental principles ;  a  brief  glance,  therefore,  at  these 
principles,  may  serve  to  render  the  explanation  of  all  the  va- 
riations simple  and  intelligible. 

During  the  growing  season  of  a  fruit  tree,  the  sap  enters  at 


PROPAGATION. 


31 


the  spongioles,  or  minute  spongy  extremities  of  the  fibrous 
roots,*  at  which  time  it  consists  merely  of  \vater,  with  minute 
portions  of  other  substances  in  solution.  It  passes  up  through 
the  alburnum  or  sap-wood,  dissolving  mucilage  in  its  pro- 
gress ;  it  becomes  further  charged  in  a  very  slight  degree, 
and  acquires  a  saccharine  character.  It  ascends  to  the  ex- 
tremities of  the  branches,  and  is  distributed  through  the 
leaves.  Emerging  thus  from  the  dark  and  minute  vessels 
of  the  wood,  it  is  spread  out  and  exposed  to  the  action  of 
the  light,  by  means  of  the  fine  web  or  net-work  of  veins 
running  from  the  mid-rib  to  all  parts  of  these  broad 
and  thin  organs.  Here  it  becomes  essentially  chang- 
ed in  character,  it  enters  into  new  combinations,  and 
is  charged  with  the  materials  for  the  newly  forming 
wood ;  it  now  descends,  not  through  the  sap-wood, 
but  through  the  inner  or  living  bark,t  and  deposits 
a  new  layer  between  the  bark  and  the  wood.  This 
new  layer  being  soft  and  fresh,  interposed  between 
them,  causes  that  separation  known  as  the  peeli?ig 
of  the  bark.t 

The  sap  is  capable  of  flowing  sidewise,  through 
lateral  openings  in  the  vessels  or  microscopic  tubes. 
Hence  some  trees  may  be  cut  at  one  point  more 
than  half  through  on  one  side,  and  at  another  point 
more  than  half  through  on  the  other  side,  without 
intercepting  the  upward   flow  of  sap,  as  in  fig.  3. 
Fig  3     This  lateral  motion  explains  the  reason  why  a  graft 
set  in  the  longitudinal  cleft  of  a  stock,  receives  the 
sap  from  the  split  surfaces  of  the  cleft,  and  succeeds  as  well 
as  when  cross-sections  of  both  are  brought  into  contact. 

*  A  greatly  magnified  representation  of  one  of  these  spongelets  is  shown  in  the 
-r-,^-^1  ,  s  -'  .-j,^^.---  annexed  figure,  (fig.  4.)  the  cen- 
tral or  dark  part  being  woody, 
and  the  point  of  the  exterior  being 
cellular  and  spongy. 

t  The  liber,  or  inner  bark,  con- 
stitutes  almost  the  whole  bark  in 
young  trees,  but  often  not  one- 
half  on  very  old  and  rough-barked 
forest  trees. 

t  The  importance  of  leaves  to 
the  growth  and  even  life  of  the 
tree,  is  exhibited  in  various  ways. 
A  tree  stripped  of  its  leaves 


growing. 


at  midsummer,    instantly  ceases 
A  sue  cession  of  such  stripping*,  during  ihe  course  of  the  season,  soon 


2* 


PROPAGATION    BY    CUTTINGS. 


I.    CUTTINGS. 

When  a  ligature  is  bound  closely  round  a  branch,  the  ob- 
struction which  it  imposes  to  the  descending  juices,  causes 
an  enlargement  or  swollen  ring  above  the  ligature,  as  in 

fig.  5.  •  The  same  result 
is  produced  if  a  small  ring 
of  bark  is  cut  out,  as  in 
fig.  6.  If  a  shoot  is  taken 
from  the  tree  before  the 
leaves  expand,  and  plung- 
ed into  moist  earth  till  il 
commences  growth,  the  de- 
scending current  exuding 
from  the  lower  extremity, 
forms  a  callus  or  ring  oi 
the  newly  formed  wood, 
as  in  fig.  7;  and  under 
favorable  circumstances 
the  granulations  forming 
the  callus  emit  roots  into 
the  soil,  (fig.  8,)  and  thus 
a  new  plant  is  formed. 
Every  leaf  bud  on  a  fruit  tree  may  be  regarded  as  an  em- 
bryo branch,  and  capable  of  forming  a  tree  when  supplied 

kills  it.  Weeds  which  spread  rapidly  by  the  roots,  as  the  Canada  thistle,  may  be 
totally  destroyed  in  one  summer,  if  constantly  kept  cut  off  below  the  surface. 

For  the  satne  reason,  trees  which  become  divested  of  their  foliage  by  leaf-blight 
while  the  fruit  is  partly  grown,  do  not  perfect  the  ripening  process.  An  interesting 
instance  occurred  during  the  pa^t  season  : — A  plum  tree  lost  all  its  leaves,  when  the 
fruit  was  about  two-thirds  grown,  and  before  it  had  attai)  e,d  in  the  slightest  degree 
its  flavor.  The  plums  remained  stationary,  densely  loading  the  naked  branches, 
for  three  weeks,  when  a  new  crop  of  leaves  came  out.  The  fruit  immediately  re- 
commenced growing,  and  subsequently  acquired  full  size,  and  a  fine,  rich,  honied 
flavor,  about  a  month  later  than  the  usual  period  of  ripening. 

Hence  also  the  reason  why  the  removal  of  large  portions  of  the  foliage,  to  favor 
the  ripening  of  grapes  and  other  fruits  by  admitting  the  sun,  does  not  always  effect 
the  intended  purpose. 

Another  case,  illustrating  the  same  principle,  was  reported  by  the  late  President 
Knight: — "  A  peach  tree  in  my  garden,  of  which  I  was  very  anxious  to  see  the 
fruit,  had  lost  by  the  severity  of  the  weather,  all  its  blossoms  except  two,  which 
grew  upon  leafless  branches.  I  therefore  endevored  to  derive  the  necessary  returning 
sap  [1o  mature  the  fruit]  from  another  source.  To  attain  this  object,  the  points  of 
the  branches,  which  bore  fruit,  were  brought  into  contact  with  other  branches  of 
the  same  age,  which  bore  leave*  ;  and  a  part  of  the  bark,  extending  in  length  about 
four  times  their  diameters,  was  paired  off  immediately  above  the  fruit.  Similar 
wounds  were  then  made  upon  the  other  branches,  with  which  these  were  brought 
into  contact;  the  wounded  surfaces  were  closely  fitted  and  tightly  bound  together. 
A  union  soon  took  place,  and  the  fruit,  in  consequence,  acquired  the  highest  state 
of  maturity  and  perfection." 


Fig.  5.     Fig.  6.         Fig.  7. 


PROPAGATION    BY    CUTTINGS. 


33 


with  separate  roots.  But  single  buds  do  not  contain  within 
themselves  sufficient  nutriment  to  sustain  vegetation  till 
roots  are  formed,  without  a  considerable  portion  of  the  al- 
burnum or  sap-wood  attached;  hence  the  superior  advan- 
tage of  taking  an  entire  shoot  or  cutting. 

Propagation  by  cuttings  is-the  simplest  mode  of  multiply- 
ing a  variety.  It  consists  simply  in  the  insertion  of  a  shoot 
of  one  year's  growth  into  the  soil ;  the  moisture  of  the  soil 
renews  the  supply  of  sap,  the  buds  swell,  the  leaves  expand, 
and  the  descending  juices  expend  themselves  in  the  produc- 
tion of  new  roots,  which  shoot  downwards  into  the  soil,  fig. 
9.  Under  ordinary  circumstances,  or  in  open 
ground,  this  mode  is  only  applicable  to  such 
species  as  readily  throw  out  roots,  as  the  currant, 
gooseberry,  quince,  and  grape.  Cuttings  of  the 
apple  and  pear  may  be  made  to  strike  root,  only 
by  confining  the  moisture  under  glass,  while  ar- 
tificial heat  is  applied.  The  stories  of  empirics, 
of  making  peach  and  apple  shoots  grow  by  stick- 
ing them  into  potatoes,  or  covering  with  wax, 
have  no  foundation  in  fact. 

It  may  be  stated,  in  general,  that  cuttings 
made  of  the  ripened  wood  of  such  trees  as  have 
a  large  pith,  succeed  best  when  taken  off  with 
a  portion  of  the  preceding  year's  wood,  such  as 
the  gooseberry,  currant,  vine,  fig,  &c.  With 
large  and  strong  shoots,  the  best  success  will  re- 
sult if  cuttings  are  separated  at  the  point  be- 
tween the  one  and  two  years'  growth.  When 
small  side-shoots  are  used,  they  should  be  cut 
closely  to  the  main  stem,  so  as  to  secure  the  col- 
lar or  enlarged  portion  of  the  wood  at  the  base  of  the  branch. 
Roots  are  more  readily  thrown  out,  if  the  cut  is  made  imme- 
dately  below  a  bud. 

The  best  time  to  take  off"  cuttings,  in  ordinary  cases,  is  in 
autumn  and  winter.  The  autumn  is  preferable,  by  giving 
time  for  the  wrounded  section  to  cicatrise,  preparing  it  for  the 
early  emission  of  roots  in  spring.  But  where  the  soil  is 
heavy  or  liable  to  heave  by  frost,  or  where  the  cuttings  are 
of  tender  trees,  they  should  be  kept  in  damp  mould  in  a  cel- 
lar, to  be  planted  as  soon  as  the  frost  disappears  from  the 


Fig.  9. 


34 


PROPAGATION    BY    CUTTINGS. 


ground 


Fig.  10 

creased 


,     If  not  taken  off  till  spring,  the  operation  must  be 
performed  as  early  as  possible.     In  ordinary  in- 
stances to  prevent    drying,    about    two-thirds   or 
three-quarters  of  the  shoot  should  be   buried  be- 
neath the  surface  ;  and  the  moisture  may  be  still 
?£*  further  retained  by  a  covering  of  leaves  or  moss, 
^   or  by  placing  them  under  the  shade  of  a  wall  or 
V  close  fence.     Failure  often  results  from  a  neglect 
to  press  the  soil  closely  about  the  cutting. 

To  procure  young  plants  of  the  gooseberry  and 
currant  with  straight,  clean  stems  at  the  surface, 
and  free  from  suckers,  it  is  only  necessary  to  re- 
move every  bud  except  a  few  at  the  upper  end,  fig. 
10.  The  length  may  be  eight  inches  to  a  foot. 

In  propagating  the  grape,  scarce  sorts  are  in- 
by  single  buds  with  a  portion  of  adhering  wood,  each 
being  placed  separately  in  a  pot,  about 
half  an  inch  deep,  under  glass  in  a 
hot-bed,  fig.  11.  They  are  found 
to  root  better  when  a  portion  of  the 
pith  is  removed  by  splitting  length- 
wise, as  in  fig.  12.  The  plants  from 
single  buds  are  weaker  in  growth, 
but  are  usually  better  rooted  for  rais- 
ing vines  in  pots.  A  similar  mode  oi 
propagation,  familiar  to  all,  is  adopt- 
ed with  the  potato,  the  tubers  oi 
which  are  only  enlarged  underground 
stems,  covered  with  eyes  or  buds. 

II.    LAYERS. 

A  layer  is  a  low  side-shoot 
bent  down  and  buried  at  the 
middle  in  the  soil,fig.  13.  The 
buried  portion  strikes  root, 
when  it  is  taken  off  and  plant- 
ed separately.  Its  advantage 
over  a  cutting,  is  that  it  is 
nourished  while  the  roots  are 
forming  by  the  parent  plant. 
Hence  many  plants  which 
cannot  be  increased  by  cut- 


Fig.  11. 


Fig.  12. 


Fig.  13. 


PROPAGATION    BY    LAYERS.  35 

tings,  and  indeed  with  great  difficulty  by  budding  and  graft- 
ing, may  be  propagated  readily  by  layers. 

When  roots  are  freely  emitted,  as  from  the  grape,  simply 
bending  the  middle  of  the  branch  into  the  soil  is  enough  to 
ensure  success.  But  in  cases  of  difficulty,  other  expedients 
are  resorted  to;  one  of  the  most  common  is  to  split  a  portion 
upwards,  immediately  under  a  bud,  (fig.  14,)  which  enable? 

the  newly  forming  roots  to 
pass  freely  and  at  once  into 
the  soil,  without  the  resistance 
of  the  thick  bark  which  they 
otherwise  must  pierce.  Some- 
times the  branch  is  cut  partly 
]F~-  off  to  intercept  the  downward 
passage  of  the  fluids,  and  in- 
duce them  to  form  into  roots. 
At  other  times  a  wire  ligature, 
or  the  removal  of  a  narrow 

ring  of  bark  effects  the  same  purpose.  Burying  the  layer 
several  inches  under  the  surface  is  necessary,  to  keep  it  in 
moist  earth;  and  in  drouth,  moderate  watering  would  be 
beneficial.  A  small  excavation  of  the  soil  at  the  spot  is 
convenient ;  and  when  the  branch  is  stiff',  it  must  be  fasten- 
ed down  with  a  forked  stick. 

The  excavation  should  be  made  with  a  spade.  Use  both 
hands  in  bending  the  shoot,  so  that  it  may  not  be  bent  too 
short,  and  break.  If  properly  done,  it  will  press  against  the 
nearest  side  of  the  hole,  rest  on  the  bottom,  and  rise  up, 
pressing  against  the  opposite  side,  when  it  should  be  fasten- 
ed upright,  and  if  necessary,  to  a  small  stake.  At  the  time 
of  bending,  a  sod  or  other  weight  may  be  laid  on  to  keep  it 
down  till  the  hole  is  filled ;  and  if  the  mellow  earth  be 
pressed  firmly  down  with  the  foot,  no  forked  stick  will  be 
usually  necessary. 

The  most  favorable  state  of  a  plant  for  layering,  is  when 
the  bark  is  somewhat  soft  and  not  too  ripe  ;  and  the  worst 
shoots  are  those  which  are  stunted,  and  with  a  hard  bark. 
There  are  however,  no  shoots  whatever,  not  actually  diseased, 
that  will  not  root  by  layers,  if  sufficient  time  be  given. 
Layers,  like  cuttings,  may  be  made  of  the  ripened  wood  in 
autumn  or  spring ;  or  of  the  growing  wood  at  or  a  little  be- 


36  PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING. 

fore  mid-summer,  when  the  part  intended  to  root  is  some- 
what mature  and  firm  in  texture.  The  pear,  the  apple,  and 
the  quince,  if  layered  early,  in  the  spring- ;  or  the  grape  in 
summer — will  usually  be  well  rooted  in  autumn. 

A  moist  season  is  the  most  favorable  to  the  rooting  ot 
layers,  by  preserving  a  softer  bark.  For  this  reason,  many 
plants  may  be  more  easily  propagated  in  England  than  in 
the  United  States  ;  and  more  readily  in  Ireland  than  in 
England. 

Layering  is  largely  made  use  of  in  propagating  the  grape, 
occasionally  for  the  quince,  and  sometimes  for  the  apple. 
It  is  also  of  very  extensive  application  in  propagating  many 
ornamental  trees  and  shrubs. 

Suckers  may  be  regarded  as  spontaneous  layers,  the  new 
shoots  being  sent  up' from  buds  on  the  roots  or  portions  ol 
the  stem  beneath  the  surface  of  the  ground.  They  are  the 
only  mode  of  multiplying  most  species  of  the  raspberry. 
The  runners  of  strawberries  may  be  regarded  as  layers  or 
suckers  above  ground. 

III.    GRAFTING. 

Upwards  of  twenty  different  modifications  of  grafting  were 
mentioned  by  the  ancient  Roman  writer,  Varro  ;  and  Thouin, 
of  Paris,  has  described  and  figured  more  than  a  hundred 
kinds.  The  great  number  of  modes  described  in  books,  has 
tended  rather  to  bewilder  than  to  enlighten  beginners  ;  the 
following  remarks,  therefore,  are  more  for  the  purpose  ol 
laying  down  reasons  on  which  success  depends,  than  foi 
pointing  out  the  peculiar  modes  of  operation,  which  may  be 
varied  according  to  convenience,  provided  attention  is  given 
to  the  essential  particulars. 

Propagation  by  grafting  differs  mainly  and  essentially 
from  increasing  by  cuttings,  by  inserting  the  cutting  into 
the  growing  stock  of  another  tree  instead  of  directly  into  the 
soil.  The  stock  thus  supplies  the  sap,  as  the  soil  does  in 
the  case  of  a  cutting  ;  and  the  graft,  instead  of  making  roots 
of  its  own,  extends  its  forming  wood  downwards,  at  the  in- 
ner surface  of  the  bark,  into  the  stock  itself.  Hence  there 
are  two  chief  requisites  for  success :  the  first,  that  the  graft 
be  so  set  in  the  stock,  that  the  sap  may  flow  upward  with- 
out interruption;  and  the  second,  that  the  forming  wood 


PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING.  37 

may  flow  downward  uninterruptedly  through  the  inner  bark. 
To  effect  these  two  requisites,  it  is  nee<ttu\,  first,  that  the 
operation  be  performed  with  a  sharp  knife,  that  the  vessels 
and  pores  may  be  cut  smoothly  and  evenly,  and  the  two  parts 
be  brought  inlo  immediate  and  even  contact.  Secondly,,  that 
the  operation  be  so  contrived  that  a  permanent  and  considera- 
ble pressure  be  applied  to  keep  all  parts  of  these  cut  faces 
closely  together.  Thirdly,  that  the  line  of  division  between 
the  inner  bark  and  the  wood,  should  coincide  or  exactly  cor- 
respond in  each ;  for  if  the  inner  bark  of  the  one  sets  wholly 
on  the  wood  of  the  other,  the  upward  current  through  the 
wood  and  back  through  the  bark,  is  broken,  and  the  graft 
cannot  flourish  nor  grow.  And,  fourthly,  that  the  wounded 
parts  made  by  the  operation,  be  effectually  excluded  from 
the  external  air,  chiefly  to  retain  a  due  quantity  of  moisture 
in  the  graft,  but  also  to  exclude  the  wet,  until,  by  the  growth 
of  the  graft,  the  union  is  effected. 

1.  The  first  requisite  is  best  attained  by  keeping  a  keen, 
flat  bladed-knife  to  cut  the  faces,  and  another  knife  for  other 
purposes. 

2.  The  second  requires  that  the  jaws  of  the  stock  in  cleft- 
grafting,  press  with  some  force,  but  not  too  much  against, 
the  wedge-shaped  sides  of  the  graft.     A  stock  one-third  of 
an  inch  in  diameter  will  sometimes  do  this  sufficiently ;  but 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  is  a   more  convenient  size.     In 
whip-grafting,  the  tongue  and  slit  should  be  firmly  crowded 
or  bound  together. 

3.  The  third  requisite  is  attained  by  close  examination 
with  the  eye. 

4.  The  fourth  is  accomplished  by  plasters  of  grafting-wax 
or  by  the  application  of  grafting-clay.     Grafting-wax  may 
be  made  by  melting  together  rosin,  tallow,  and  beeswax,  in 
such  proportions  as  to  admit  of  being  easily  applied  when 
softened  by  warmth,  but  not  liable  to  melt  and  run  in  the 
sun's    rays.     An  excellent  grafting-wax  is  made  of  3  parts 
of  rosin,  3  of  beeswax,  and  2  of  tallow.     A  cheaper  composi- 
tion, but  more  liable  to  adhere  to  the  hands,  is  made  of  4 
parts  of  rosin,  2  of  tallow,    and   1  of  beeswax.     But  one 
of  the  best  and  cheapest  consists  of  1  pint  of  linseed  oil,  1 
pound  of  rosin,  and  6  pounds  of  beeswax.     These  ingredi- 
ents, after  being  melted  and  mixed  together,   may  be  ap- 


38 


PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING. 


plied  in  different  ways.  The  wax  may  be  directly  applied 
when  just  warm  enough  to  run,  by  means  of  a  brush ;  or  il 
may  be  spread  thickly  with  a  brush  over  sheets  of  muslin,  01 
thin,  tough  paper,  ("  post-office  paper"  is  best,)  which  are 
afterwards,  during  a  cold  day,  cut  up  into  plasters  of  con- 
venient size  for  applying ;  or,  the  wax,  after  cold,  may  be 
worked  up,  with  wet  hands,  and  drawn  out  into  thin  strips  01 
ribbons  of  wax,  and  wrapped  closely  around  the  inserted 
graft.  In  all  cases  success  is  more  certain,  when  the  wax 
is  closely  pressed  so  as  to  fit  closely  to  every  part,  and 
leave  no  interstices  ;  and  it  is  indispensible  that  every  por 
tion  of  the  wound  on  the  stock  and  graft  be  totally  ex- 
cluded from  the  external  air.  In  cool  weather,  a  lantern, 
chafing  dish,  or  hot  brick,  will  be  found  necessary  to  soften 
the  plasters  before  applying  them. 


§ 

ill 

L 


Fig.  15.  Fig.  16  Fig.  17.          Tig.  18. 

The  annexed  figures  represent  the  two  most  common 
modes  of  grafting  fruit  trees  ;  figs.  15  to  18,  representing 
successive  stages  of  whip  or  tongue  grafting,  from  the  slop- 
ing cut  of  the  scion  and  stock,  to  the  completion  of  the  ope- 
ration by  the  covering  with  the  wax  plaster.  Fig.  19  shows 
a  stock  cut  off  for  cleft-grafting  with  the  upright  cleft  sepa- 
rated by  an  iron  or  steel  wedge,  ready  for  the  graft ;  fig.  20, 
cut  wedge-form  to  fit  it;  and  fig.  21,  the  graft  in  its  place 


PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING. 


39 


Fig.  19 


after  the  wedge  has  been  withdrawn,  the  projecting  angle 
of  the  stock  sloped  off  with  a  knife,  and  the  whole  ready  for 

the  application  of  the  wax. 

Whip  grafting  is  particu- 
larly applicable  to  small 
stocks,  or  where  the  graft 
and  stock  are  nearly  of  equal- 
size  ;  and  cleft-grafting  to 
stocks  considerably  larger 
than  the  scion.  In  all  cases, 
where  the  lock  is  in  any  de- 
gree larger,  the  graft  must 
be  placed  towards  one  side, 
so  that  the  line  between  the 
bark  and  wood  may  exactly 
coincide  at  one  point  at  least 

as  in  the  cross  section  of  cleft-grafting,  fig.  22.  A 
useful  implement  for  the  rapid  and  perfect 
performance  of  cleft-grafting,  is  described 
in  the  chapter  on  implements. 

There  are  other  modifications  of  grafting 
which  are  often  useful.  In  saddle  gTaJting, 
the  stock  is  sloped  oft'  on  each  side,  giving 
it  the  form  of  a  wedge,  fig.  23,  a  ;  the  graft  is  split  in  the 
middle,  and  each  side  thinned  away 
with  the  knife,  as  in  fig.  23  ft,  until 
it  will  closely  fit  when  placed  like  a 
saddle  upon  it,  fig.  24.  The  most 
perfect  way  to  fit  the  graft,  is  to 
make  a  long  sloping  cut  from  the 
outer  edge  or  bark,  by  drawing  the 
blade  from  heel  to  point,  till  it  reach- 
es the  centre  of  the  graft ;  and  then 
another  similar  cut  completes  the 
acu^e  cavity  for  fitting  the  wedge  of 
the  stock.  A  sharp,  broad,  and  thin 
blade,  is  needed  for  this  operation. 
A  wax  plaster,  drawn  closely  round 
Fi«-.24  tne  place  °f  union,  completes  the 
work.  When  the  stock  and  graft 
are  very  nearly  of  equal  size,  this  is  a  very  perfect  mode  of 


Fig.  22 


Fig.  23. 


40 


PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING. 


Fig.  25. 


grafting,  as  large  corresponding  surfaces  are  made 
to  fit,  and  the  graft  receives  freely  the  ascending 
sap. 

In  all  these  modes  of  grafting,  whenever  a  wedge 
is  made  to  enter  a  cleft,  it  should  be  thickest  on 
the  side  where  the  fit  is  made  between  the  two 
parts,  so  as  to  receive  the  full  pressure  of  the  cut 
faces  at  that  side,  as  shown  in  fig.  22. 

A  modification  of  saddle  grafting,  very  suc- 
cessful in  its  results,  is  thus  performed  : — Late 
in  spring,  after  growth  has  commenced,  the  scion, 
which  is  much  smaller  than  the  stock,  is  split  up, 
nearer  to  one  side,  more  than  half  its  length, 
(fig.  25.)  The  stronger  side  is  then  sharpened  into 
a  wedge  at  its  point,  and  introduced  between  the  bark  and 
the  wood,  a  slight  longitudinal  slit  beino;  made  through  the 
bark  of  the  stock,  that  it  may  open  slightly  and  admit  the 
graft.  The  thinner  division  of  the  graft  is  fitted  to  the  op- 
posite sloping  side  of  the  stock.  The  whole  is  then  cover- 
ed with  wax.  The  great  length  of  that  portion  of  the  graft 
in  contact  with  the  bark  and  fresh  wood,  greatly  facilitates 
their  union ;  while  the  cut  face  of  the  stock  is  speedily  co- 
vered with  a  new  growth  by  that  part  of  the  graft  which 
rests  upon  it. 

In  grafting  the  peach,  which,  from  its  large  pith  and 
spongy  wood,  scarcely  ever  succeeds  as  commonly  performed, 
it  is  found  advantageous  in  selecting  the  grafts,  to  leave  a 
quarter  of  an  inch  of  the  more  compact  two  years'  wood  at 
the  lower  extremity. 

Root-grafting  is  performed  by  taking  up  the  stocks  by 
the  roots,  and  inserting  the  grafts  immediately  into  the  part 
below  ground  after  the  tops  are  cut  off,  after  which  they 
are  again  planted  out,  with  the  tip  of  the  graft  only  above 
ground.  This  mode  is  successful  with  the  apple,  and  oc- 
casionally with  other  trees,  and  is  adopted  on  a  large  scale 
by  many  nurserymen,  the  work  being  performed  in  winter 
or  early  spring  within  doors,  and  the  grafted  roots  kept  in 
cellars  till  the  ground  is  ready  to  receive  them.  It  will 
be  found  fully  described  in  the  chapter  on  the  apple. 

In  grafting  the  plum  and  cherry,  success  is  found  to  be 
much  more  certain,  when  the  work  is  performed  very  early 


'PROPAGATION    BY    GRAFTING.  41 

in  spring,  before  the  buds  commence  swelling,  or  even  be- 
fore the  snow  has  disappeared  from  the  ground.  Apples 
and  pears  may  be  grafted  later,  and  if  the  scions  have  been 
kept  in  good  condition  in  a  dormant  state,  they  will  mostly 
grow  if  inserted  after  the  trees  are  in  leaf. 

After  a  graft  is  inserted,  and  as  soon  as  the  tree  commen- 
ces growth,  the  buds  on  the  stock  must  be  rubbed  off,  in 
order  to  throw  the  rising  sap  into  the  scion.  If  large  trees 
are  grafted,  the  buds  need  only  rubbing  off  the  single  branch. 
The  practice  of  allowing  leaves  to  expand  on  the  stock  near 
the  point  of  union,  to  "draw  up  the  sap,"  appears  to  be 
founded  in  error  ;  for  the  sap  thus  drawn  up,  passes  only 
into  and  is  elaborated  by  those  leaves,  and  is  again  imme- 
diately returned  to  the  stock  below,  without  ever  reaching 
the  graft.  Each  separate  branch  or  portion  of  the  stock, 
cannot  be  nourished  by  the  leaves  of  an  opposite  branch,  foi 
a  leafless  stump  left  by  pruning  off  a  limb,  wholly  ceases 
growing.  In  the  spring  of  the  year,  when  the  sap  vessels 
are  in  a  state  of  impletion,  if  the  sap  is  permitted  to  be  con- 
sumed by  side  leaves,  less  will  flow  towards  the  inserted 
scion.  Experience  fully  confirms  this  view  of  the  sub- 
ject. 

Where  it  becomes  desirable  to  preserve  rare  sorts,  which 
have  been  grafted  late  in  spring,  a  loose  wrapper  of  white 
paper  round  the  graft  will  protect  it  from  the  drying  and 
scorching  rays  of  the  sun ;  or  shrivelling  and  failure  will 
often  be  prevented  by  covering  the  whole  graft  with  a  wax 
plaster ;  or  by  encasing  it  in  moss  kept  damp  by  occasional 
applications  of  water. 

Grafts  are  usually  cut  during  the  latter  part  of  winter  01 
early  in  spring ;  but  if  well  kept  they  may  be  taken  from 
the  tree  at  any  time  between  the  cessation  of  growth  in  late 
summer  or  autumn,  and  the  commencement  of  vegetation 
in  spring.  They  may  be  kept  safely  if  buried  in  moderate 
ly  moist  earth  ;  the  best  way  is  to  place  them  in  a  box  open 
downwards,  and  buried  on  a  dry  spot,  the  scions  being  kep( 
from  actual  contact  with  the  earth  by  sticks  across  the  box. 
They  may  also  be  conveniently  preserved  in  a  box  of  damj 
powdered  moss  ;  or  still  better  in  moderately  moist  peat  o1 
black  muck.  Sawdust  answers  the  same  purpose,  if  not  ir 
large  quantities  so  as  to  become  heated. 


42 


PROPAGATION    BY    BUDDING. 


Grafts  which  have  become  dry,  may  be  restored  if  the 
moisture  is  applied  so  gradually  that  its  absorption  may  re 
quire  several  weeks.  In  one  instance  shoots  cut  early  in 
autumn,  and  subjected  to  thorough  drying,  were  restored  to 
perfect  freshness  by  the  next  spring,  by  wrapping  them  well 
in  moss  and  burying  them  in  a  dry  spot  of  ground ;  arid  be- 
ing set,  they  all  grew. 

Scions  for  sending  to  a  distance,  are  usually  packed  in 
damp  moss,  saw-dust,  or  fibrous  peat.  They  may  be  sent 
by  mail,  within  a  very  small  compass,  with  great  safety,  by 
enwrapping  them  with  oil-silk  or  thin  oil-cloth,  drawing  it 
closely  round  them  to  exclude  the  moisture,  by  means  of 
small  thread. 

IV.    BUDDING. 

Budding  consists  in  introducing  the  bud  of  one  tree, 
a  portion  of  bark  and  a  little  adhering  wood,  beneath 
.he  bark  of  another,  and  upon  the  face  of  the  newly  forming 
vvood.  It  must  be  performed  while  the  stock  is  in  a  state 
of  vigorous  growth.  An  incision  is  made  lengthwise  through 
the  bark  of  the  stock,  and  a  small  cut  at  right  angles  at  the 
top,  the  whole  somewhat  resembling  the  letter  T.,  fig.  26 


Fig.  30.  Fig.  29.  Fig.  27.        Fig.  28.  Fig.  26. 

A  bud  is  then  taken  from  a  shoot  of  the  present  year's 
growth,  by  shaving  off  the  lark  an  inch  or  an  inch  and  a 
half  in  length,  with  a  small  part  of  the  wood  directly  be- 
neath the  bud,  fig.  27.  The  edges  of  the  bark,  at  the  in- 
cision in  the  stock,  are  then  raised  a  little,  fig.  28,  and  the 


PROPAGATION     BY    BUDDING.  43 

bud  pushed  downwards  under  the  bark,  fig.  29.  A  band- 
age of  bass,  corn-husk,  or  other  substance,  is  wrapped  round, 
covering  all  parts  but  the  bud.  The  pressure  should  be 
just  sufficient  to  keep  the  inserted  portion  closely  to  the 
stock,  but  not  such  as  to  bruise  or  crush  the  bark,  fig.  30. 
The  shoots  containing  the  buds  should  be  cut  when  so 
mature  as  to  be  rather  firm  and  hard  in  texture ;  they  are 
usually  in  the  best  condition  after  the  terminal  bud  has 
formed.  To  prevent  withering,  the  leaves  must  be  imme- 
diately cut  off,  as  they  withdraw  and  exhale  rapidly  the 
moisture  from  the  shoot  ;  about  one  quarter  of  an  inch  oi 
the  footstalks  of  the  leaves  should  remain,  to  serve  as  handles 
to  the  buds  while  inserting  them,  fig.  31.  After  being 
thus  divested  of  leaves,  they  may  be  safely  kept 
a  week  in  a  cool  damp  place,  or  sent  hundreds 
of  miles  in  damp  moss,  or  encased  separately  in 
thin  oil-cloth. 

When  by  growth,  the  bandage  cuts  into  the 
stock,  usually  in  ten  days  to  three  weeks,  it  must 
be  removed.     The  bud  remains  dormant  till  the 
following  spring,  when  the  stock  is  cut  off  two 
inches  or  more  above  it.     If  cut  closer,  the  end 
A   j  'j|         of  the  stock  becomes  too  dry,  and  the  bud  often 
Vfl    |          perishes.     All  other  buds  must  be  then  removed, 
and  all  the  vigor  of  the  stock   or  branch  thrown 
into   the    remaining    bud,    which   immediately 
•  *-g       commences  a  rapid  growth. 

To  secure  a   straight  and   erect   growth,  the 
new  shoot,  when  a  few  inches  long,  is  tied  to  the 
Fig.  31.      remaining  stump  of  the  stock,  fig  32.      By  ano- 
ther month,  no  further  support  will  be  needed,  and  the  stump 
may  be  wholly  cut  away,  and  the  wound  allowed  to  heal  by 
the  rapid  formation  of  new  wood. 

Buds  inserted  by  midsummer,  may  be  made  to  grow  the 
same  season  by  heading  down  the  stock  when  adhesion  has 
taken  place ;  but  although  often  attempted,  no  advantage 
has  resulted  from  this  practice,  as  the  growth  is  compara- 
tively feeble,  and  in  consequence  of  its  badly  matured  wood, 
often  perishes  the  following  winter.  Even  where  it  escapes, 
it  does  not  exceed  in  size  at  the  close  of  the  second  season 
the  straight  and  vigorous  shoots  of  the  spring. 


44 


PROPAGATION    BY    BUDDING. 


The  essential  requisites  for  success  in  budding,  are  first, 
a  thrifty,  rapidly  growing  stock,  so  that  the  bark  will  peel 
very  freely.  Secondly,  a  proper  time  ;  not  too  early,  when 
there  is  little  cambium,  or  mucilaginous  cement  between 
the  bark  and  the  wood,  for  the  adhesion  of  the  bud, — nor 
too  late,  when  the  bark  will  not  peel  freely,  nor  the  subse- 
quent growth  sufficiently  cement  the  bud  to  the  stock. 
T.-iirdhj,  buds  sufficiently  mature.  Fourthly,  a  keen  flat 
knife,  for  shaving  off  the  bud,  that  it  may  lie  close  in  con- 
tact upon  the  wood  of  the  stock.  Fifthly,  the  application  ot 
a  ligature  with  moderate  pressure,  causing 
the  bud  to  fit  the  stock  closely. 

Various  modifications  have  been  proposed 
for  the  improvement  of  budding.  One  is  to 
make  the  cross-cut  at  the  bottom  of  the  long 
slit  instead  of  at  the  top,  as  the  latter  is  sup- 
posed to  impede  the  descent  of  nourishment. 
Another  is,  to  raise  the  bark  all  on  one  side 
of  the  slit,  making  a  small  notch  in  its 
edge  for  the  bud,  this  mode  being  supposed 
to  avoid  the  bad  consequences  of  the  muti- 
lation of  the  wood  by  the  knife.  But  these 
modes  are  both  inconvenient,  and  are  found 
to  possess  no  advantage  in  practice  ;  the 
supposed  evils  they  are  intended  to  obviate 
being  too  small  to  take  into  account.  Making 
a  square  cut  from  the  upper  end  of  the  bark 
of  the  inserted  bud,  so  that  it  may  fit  in 
close  contact  with  the  bark  of  the  stock  at 
the  horizontal  incision,  to  receive  the  re- 
Fig.  32.  turning  sap,  though  strongly  recommended, 
has  been  found  of  no  utility  in  practice,  as  the  union  takes 
place  wholly  between  the  two  faces  in  contact. 

The  English  practice  of  taking  out  the  small  portion  of 
wood  cut  from  the  shoot,  has  been  found  in  the  climate  of 
this  country  not  only  useless,  but  really  detrimental.  In- 
deed it  often  happens  that  buds  of  the  cherry  and  other 
trees  of  rather  spongy  growth  and  slow  adhesion,  succeed 
much  better  when  a  thick  portion  of  wood  is  taken  off  with 
the  bud  than  otherwise ;  the  wood  in  such  cases  assisting 
in  the  retention  of  moisture  until  cemented  to  the  stock. 


PROPAGATION    BY    BUDDING. 


When  stocks  are  in  the  best  condition,  it  is  unnecessary 
to  raise  the  bark  any  further  than  to  admit  the  lower  point 
of  the  bud,  which,  as  it  is  pushed  downwards,  performs  this 
operation  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  When  the  bark  does 
not  peel  freely  enough  for  this  purpose,  success  becomes 
very  uncertain. 

Budding  is  performed  in  summer,  grafting  in  spring,  and 
both  have  their  advantages.  Budding  is  a  simpler  opera- 
tion, and  more  successfully  performed  by  a  novice.  It  is 
the  best  means  to  multiply  the  peach  and  nectarine,  grafting 
very  rarely  proving  successful.  It  is  more  rapidly  per- 
formed, and  at  a  season  not  crowded  with  the  labors  of 
transplanting.  It  admits  a  repetition  the  same  summer,  in 
cases  of  failure,  the  stocks  remaining  uninjured.  But  in  all 
?ases  thrifty  stocks  are  needed,  while  grafting  will  succeed 
MI  those  older  and  less  vigorous.  Grafting  requires  less 
:are  subsequently,  as  no  ligatures  need  removing,  nor  stocks 
leading  down,  and  may  be  conveniently  employed  as  a  re- 
Tfiedy  for  failures  in  the  previous  summer's  budding.  In 
England,  where  most  fruit  trees  do  not  make  so  rapid  a 
growth  as  here,  budding  is  less  esteemed ;  while  from  the 
•noisture  of  the  climate  preserving  grafts  from  dying,  graft- 
ng  becomes  more  successful. 

Terminal  Budding. — It  sometimes  happens,  where  buds 
ire  scarce,  that  the  terminal  bud  on  the  shoot  may  be  used 
o  advantage.  In  this  case,  the  wood  is  cut  sloping  down  • 
vards,  and  the  insertion  is  made  as  usual,  fig.  33,  except 
that  it  becomes  necessary  to  apply  the 
whole  of  the  ligature  below  the  bud. 
The  buds  on  small  side  shoots  which  are 
not  more  than  an  inch  or  two  long,  may 
be  successfully  used  in  this  way,  as  the 
terminal  eyes  are  stronger  than  any  of 
the  others.  This  practice  may  sometimes 
be  adopted  with  much  advantage  with  the 
peach,  where  scions  of  feeble  growth  only 
can  be  obtained,  as  such  buds  usually  es- 
cape the  severity  of  winter  when  most  of 
the  others  are  destroyed. 

Spring  budding  is  successfully.practiced 
as  soon  as  trees  are  in  leaf,  the  buds  hav- 


Fig.  33. 


46  LIMITS    OF    BUDDING    AND    GRAFTING. 

ing  been  kept  dormant  in  an  ice-house  or  cool  cellar.  As 
soon  as  they  have  adhered,  the  stock  is  headed  down,  and 
a  good  growth  is  made  the  same  season.  Peaches,  necta- 
rines, apricots,  and  the  mulberry,  all  very  difficult  to  propa- 
gate by  grafting,  may  in  this  way  be  easily  increased  by 
budding.  If  the  buds  are  kept  in  a  cellar,  it  will  be  found 
very  important  to  preserve  with  them  as  unitorm  a  degree 
of  moisture  as  possible,  and  in  as  small  a  degree  as  will 
keep  them  from  wilting. 

Annular  budding  is  applicable  to  trees  of  hard  wood,  or 
thick  or  rigid  bark,  as  the  walnut,  and  mag- 
nolia. A  ring  of  bark  is  removed  from  the 
stock,  and  another  corresponding  ring,  con- 
taining the  bud,  slit  open  on  one  side,  is  made 
to  fit  the  denuded  space.  Fig.  34. 

Ti  ets  which  have  been  girdled  in  winter  by 
mice,  may  be  preserved  by  a  process  similar 
to  annular  budding,  by  cutting  away  evenly 
Fig.  34.  i^  gnawed  portions,  and  applying  one  or 
more  pieces  of  bark  peeled  from  the  branch  of  another 
tree,  so  as  to  restore  the  connection  between  the  two  severed 
portions.  This  is  done  as  soon  as  the  bark  will  separate 
the  same  end  may,  however,  be  accomplished  early  in  spring 
by  cutting  away  portions  of  the  sap-wood  with  the  bark,  and 
connecting  the  two  parts  by  several  pieces  of  a  branch,  care 
being  taken  that  they  coincide  accurately,  as  in  grafting 
The  whole,  in  either  case,  is  then  covered  with  wax. 

LIMITS    OF    BUDDING    AND    GRAFTING. 

In  former  ages  of  the  world,  it  was  erroneously  supposed 
that  grafting  could  be  performed  between  every  species  of 
tree  and  shrub.  "  Some  apples,"  says  Pliny,  "are  so  red 
that  they  resemble  blood,  which  is  caused  by  their  being  at 
first  grafted  upon  a  mulberry  stock."  Roses,  it  was  said,  be- 
came black  when  grafted  on  black  currants,  and  oranges 
crimson  if  worked  on  the  pomegranate.  But  the  operation 
is  never  successful  unless  the  graft  and  stock  are  nearly  al- 
lied, and  the  greater  the  affinity  the  more  certain  the  suc- 
cess. "  Varieties  of  the  same  species  unite  most  freely,  then 
species  of  the  same  genus,  then  genera  of  the  same  natural 
order;  beyond  which  the  power  does  not  extend.  For  in- 
stance, pears  work  freely  upon  pears,  very  well  on  quinces, 


BEST    KINDS    OF    STOCKS.  47 

xess  willingly  on  apples  or  thorns,  and  not  at  all  upon  plums 
or  cherries ;  while  the  lilac  will  take  on  the  ash,  and  the  olive 
on  the  phillyrea,  because  they  are  plants  of  the  same  natu- 
ral order.  M.  De  Candolle  even  says  that  he  has  succeeded, 
notwithstanding  the  great  difference  in  their  vegetation,  to 
work  the  lilac  on  the  phillyrea,  the  olive  on  the  ash,  and 
the  Bignonia  radicans  on  the  Catalpa  (in  all  cases  of  the 
same  natural  order;)  but  plants  so  obtained  are  very  short- 
lived."* 

There  are.  however,  some  exceptions  to  this  rule.  Thus, 
the  cultivated  cherry,  and  most  species  of  wild  cherry, 
though  of  the  same  genus,  will  not  agree.  The  pear  suc- 
ceeds better  on  the  quince  than  on  the  apple,  although  the 
apple  and  pear  are  within  the  same  genus,  and  the  pear  and 
quince  are  by  most  regarded  as  of  distinct  genera;  the 
superior  firmness  of  the  wood  of  the  quince,  a  quality  so 
important  to  successful  grafting,  more  than  making  up  the 
difference  in  affinity. 

Lindley  mentions  also  some  exceptions  which  are  appa- 
rent only.  In  one  case,  the  fig  was  supposed  to  grow  on 
the  olive.  But  the  graft,  being  below  the  surface  of  the 
soil,  rooted  in  it,  independently  of  the  fig  stock.  "I  have 
seen,"  says  Pliny,  "near  Thulia,  in  the  country  of  the 
Tiburtines,  a  tree  grafted  and  laden  with  all  manner  of 
fruits,  one  bough  bearing  nuts,  another  berries  ;  here  hung 
grapes,  there  figs ;  in  one  part  you  might  see  pears,  in 
another  pomegranates ;  and  to  conclude,  there  is  no  kind 
of  apple  or  other  fruit  but  there  was  to  be  found  ;  but  this 
tree  did  not  live  long."  This  is  explained  by  the  process 
now  sometimes  performed  in  Italy,  for  growing  jasmines 
and  other  flexible  plants,  on  an  orange  stock,  by  the  in- 
genious trick  of  boring  out  the  orange  stem,  through  which 
the  stems  of  the  other  plants  are  made  to  pass,  and  which 
soon  grow  so  as  to  fill  it  closely,  and  to  appear  as  if  growing 
together.  Such  a  crowded  mass  of  stems  must,  of  course, 
soon  perish. 

THE    BEST    KINDS    OF    STOCKS. 

As  a  general  rule,  fruit  trees  succeed  best  when  grafted 
on  seedlings  of  their  own  species.  Apples  are  best  upon 
seedling  apple  stocks  ;  pears  on  seedling  pears  ;  and  plump 

*  Lindley,  Theory  Hort. 

3 


48  BEST    KINDS    OF    STOCKS. 

and  cherries  on  seedling  stocks  of  their  own  kinds  re 
spectively.  Suckers,  when  their  roots  diverge  evenly  on 
all  sides,  sometimes  make  good  stocks ;  but  the  uncertainty 
of  finding  such  roots,  and  the  inconvenience  of  crooked 
one-sided,  or  stunted  trees,  so  often  produced  from  suckers, 
renders  them  on  the  whole  greatly  inferior  to  seedlings,  and 
they  should  never  be  used,  except  from  absolute  necessity. 

In  some  cases,  stocks  of  a  different  kind  from  the  grafl 
are  chosen,  where  certain  objects  are  to  be  attained.  When, 
for  instance,  dwarf  trees  are  wanted  of  the  apple  and  pear, 
that  they  may  cover  less  ground,  or  bear  sooner,  stocks  ol 
smaller  size  or  of  diminished  growth,  are  chosen.  The 
quince  is  used  for  dwarf  pear  trees;  the  small  paradise  and 
the  Doucin  or  French  stock,  for  dwarf  apples.  These  will 
bear  crops  in  one-half  the  usual  time.  Besides  increasing 
the  early  productiveness,  of  some  varieties,  the  quality  too  is 
changed  and  sometimes  improved,  as  in  the  Angouleme  and 
Beurre  Diel  pears. 

Sometimes  different  stocks  are  used  as  a  protection  from 
the  attacks  of  insects.  For  example,  the  peach  and  apricot, 
which  are  very  liable  to  attacks  of  the  peach-ivorm,  are 
budded  upon  the  plum,  which  very  seldom  suffers.  The 
quince  is  often  destroyed  or  injured  by  the  borer,  but  the 
pear  is  exempt  from  this  injury;  hence  the  former  may  be 
grafted  on  the  latter.  But  such  expedients  sometimes  fail. 
Instances  have  been  observed  where  the  peach-worm,  not 
to  be  thwarted  in  this  way,  had  attacked  the  apricot  at  the 
place  of  union  on  the  plum,  even  as  high  as  three  feet  from 
the  ground. 

Tender,  kinds  are  sometimes  placed  upon  hardy  stock? 
with  good  effect.  Thus,  the  peach  budded  on  the  plum  has, 
in  some  instances,  done  better  in  cold  climates,  and  made 
an  earlier  growth  in  spring.  This  is  not  to  be  ascribed  to 
any  alteration  in  the  character  of  the  peach,  but  to  the 
simple  fact  that  the  plum  is  aroused  by  a  less  degree  of 
warmth  from  winter's  sleep,  and  exerts  an  earlier  influence 
by  its  supply  of  sap. 

Benefit  has  resulted  from  superior  hardiness  in  stocks 
during  wet  or  severe  winters.  The  winter  of  1846-7, 
accompanied  in  some  parts  of  the  country  with  unusual 
wetness,  followed  by  intense  cold,  destroyed  large  quan- 


BEST    KINDS    OF    STOCKS.  49 

titles   of  young  pear  trees  on  roots  of  their  own  species, 
while  those  on  quince  nearly  all  escaped. 

Sometimes  a  change  in  the  character  of  the  soil  renders 
certain  stocks  desirable  for  particular  localities.  The  White 
Doyenne  pear  flourishes  finely  on  the  quince  in  some  places 
where  it  is  otherwise  cracked  and  worthless.  Dr.  Lindley 
found  that  in  the  chalky  soil  at  Rouen,  the  peach  on  plum, 
and  cherry  on  cherry,  were  languid  and  sickly ;  while  in 
the  same  garden,  the  peach  was  healthy  and  vigorous  on  the 
ilmond,  and  the  cherry  on  the  Mahaleb  stock.  But  in  rich 
artificial  soil,  composed  of  other  ingredients,  the  two  latter 
were  again  feeble  in  their  turn. 


CHAPTER  V. 


CHANGES    WROUGHT    IN    FRUITS    BY    EXTERNAL    CAUSES. 


THE  importance  of  attention  to  the  variation  in  fruit, 
wrought  by  a  change  in  climate,  soil,  and  cultivation, 
appears  to  be  much  underrated.  While  the  peculiar  or 
essential  character  of  a  variety  remains  unchanged,  the 
quality,  or  degree  of  excellence,  is  variously  modified. 
This  is  sometimes  so  great  that  serious  disappointment 
results;  and  high  expectations,  caused  by  success  in  one 
case,  are  defeated  by  different  circumstances  in  another. 
Hence  the  necessity  of  understanding  these  modifying 
influences. 

The  changes  produced  by  climate,  are  greater  in  some 
classes  of  fruits  than  in  others.  The  cherry  varies  bat 
little  in  character  and  quality ;  the  fine  varieties  originated 
by  Thomas  Andrew  Knight  near  London,  are  also  among 
the  finest  when  removed  to  the  northern  states  of  America. 
This  may  be  owing  in  part  to  their  period  of  maturity, 
which,  occurring  early  in  summer,  could  not  be  influenced 
oy  the  length  of  the  seasons.  But  with  the  apple,  pear,  and 
peach,  the  case  is  quite  otherwise.  Very  few  of  the  whole 
British  catalogue  of  apples,  are  first  in  quality  here.  The 
White  Astracan,  an  apple  of  high  reputation  in  Russia, 
becomes  very  inferior  in  England ;  and  a  similar  loss  takes 
place  on  the  removal  to  England  of  some  of  the  finest 
apples  of  Italy.  Some  of  the  best  peaches  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Philadelphia,  become  second  or  third  rate  in 
western  New  York,  the  shorter  and  cooler  summers  of  the 
latter  region  not  being  sufficient  to  give  full  flavor  to  many 
of  the  more  southern  varieties.  American  peaches  taken 
to  England  lose  still  more.  Of  fifty  sorts,  from  the  middle 
and  western  states,  tested  at  the  great  Chiswick  garden,  all 
but  two  were  pronounced  "  worthless." 


CHANGES    WROUGHT    BY    EXTERNAL    CAUSES.  51 

But  the  influence  of  seasons  alone  .produces  sometimes 
extraordinary  results.  In  the  year  1842,  the  Wurtemburg 
pear  was  regarded  in  western  New  York  as  the  finest 
foreign  pear  among  several  which  had  then  just  fruited ; 
but  the  two  succeeding  seasons  it  was  nearly  worthless. 
The  Bezi  de  la  Motte,  about  one  year  in  seven,  in  some 
localities,  is  a  delicious  melting  pear,  and  at  other  times 
dry  and  tasteless  ;  in  other  localities,  it  is  uniformly  good. 
Some  striking  cases  were  mentioned  by  the  late  Robert 
Manning  of  Salem.  The  Beuire  Duval,  which  has  a  high 
reputation  in  Europe,  produced,  the  first  year  of  bearing, 
beautiful  fruit ;  but  on  ripening,  they  were  found  tasteless 
and  worthless.  The  next  year  the  same  tree  produced 
fewer  pears,  half  the  size,  different  in  shade  of  color,  and 
delicious  in  flavor.  In  another  case  the  Hericart  yielded 
fruit  which  proved  melting  and  high-flavored.  The  next 
year  it  not  only  varied  in  size  shape,  and  color,  but  was  so 
tasteless  as  to  be  immediately  rejected.  Again,  the  Calabash 
pear  produced  in  two  seasons,  oblong  fruit  with  projecting 
ridges,  the  color  being  bright  russett,  and  the  flesh  break- 
ing, melting,  and  very  good.  The  next  year  the  fruit  was 
more  abundant,  of  larger  size,  of  a  bright  yellow  color, 
without  ridges,  and  the  flesh  very  insipid.*  But  these  were 
unusual  cases.  They  serve  to  show,  however,  the  extreme 
caution  to  be  used,  both  in  describing  fruit,  and  deciding 
upon  the  merits  of  new  kinds.  They  also  show  the  pro- 
priety of  aiming  to  select  such  as  are  little  affected  by  such 
influences,  as  the  Madeleine,  Bartlett,  and  Seckel. 

It  is  this  liability  to  change,  and  occasionally  to  become 
valueless,  that  has  induced  the  opinion  that  varieties  are 
worn  out  by  old  age;  but  this  is  disproved  by  the  fact  that 
the  same  varieties  flourish  elsewhere  with  undiminished 
excellence  ;  and  that  some  of  the  new  sorts,  when  removed 
to  ungenial  localities  also  exhibit  precisely  the  same  symp- 
toms of  "  running  out"  and  decay.t 

*  Hovey's  Magazine,  vol.  8,  p  87. 

t  The  English  Gold  Pippin,  which  originated  centuries  ago,  was  long  since  cited 
as  an  example  of  an  old  and  defunct  variety;  while  even  at  the  presenr  day,  in  all 
fnvor«ble  soils,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  it  flourishes  MS  well  as  ever.  The 
Doyenn?  pear  h->s  been  many  years  since,  rejec'e  I  in  some  parts  of  New  England 
as  worthless,  where  it  once  proved  fine.  But  as  proof  that  this  deterioration  is  to  be 
ascribed  to  some  defect  in  the  soil,  and  not  to  the  age  of  the  variety,  it  needs  only  to 
be  stated  that  m  central  and  western  New- York,  it  is  cultivated  extensively  and 


52  INFLUENCE  OF  CULTURE. 

INFLUENCE  OF  CULTURE. 

The  effect  of  keeping  the  soil  mellow  by  repeated  stirring, 
on  most  of  the  finer  and  delicious  fruits,  can  be  hardly  be- 
lieved by  those  who  have  only  seen  it  on  the  more  common 
varieties  of  the  apple.  "  No  stunted  tree  bears  fine  fruit. 
Even  the  Seckel  pear,  of  all  sorts  the  highest  flavored,  is  so 
inferior  in  some  situations,  as  to  be  scarcely  worth  gathering. 
Some  other  pears,  however,  lose  their  distinguishing  traits 
entirely,  and  bear  nothing  suitable  for  human  lips.  Of  this 
class  has  been  the  St.  Ghislain  in  my  grounds,  where  the 
tree  stood  neglected  for  several  years,  and  caused  me  to 
wonder  how  any  thing-  so  insipid  could  have  passed  through 
the  hands  of  Robert  Manning.  Yet  that  eminent  and  worthy 
pomologist  was  not  to  blame.  An  accidental  improvement 
of  its  condition,  caused  it  the  last  season  to  bear  excellent 
fruit,  increased  some  in  size,  but  immensely  in  flavor. 

14  It  would  seem  that  flavor  is  the  last  touch  of  perfection 
that  some  pears  receive  ;  and  that  if  the  nourishment  of  the 
tree  be  exhausted  with  their  growth,  so  that  nothing  is  left 
for  the  last  finish,  they  are  tasteless  and  worthless.  This  is 
not  the  case  however  with  all  sorts  of  fruit ;  and  exceptions 
may  be  found  in  the  Madeleine,  Seckel,  and  Virgalieu;  but 
I  think  we  have  no  right  to  condemn  any  variety  of  the 
pear,  until  the  tree  has  done  its  best — that  is,  borne  fruit  in 
a  thriving  condition."* 

"No  estimate,"  says  Samuel  Walker,  "  can  be  made  of 
the  true  character  of  any  fruit,  more  particularly  of  the 
pear,  unless  the  specimens  are  fair,  well  grown,  of  full 
size,  and  quite  ripe :  or,  in  other  words,  in  the  highest  state 
of  perfection  the  variety  will  attain  under  the  most  skilful 
management  and  favorable  season.  Some  varieties,  under 
the  care  of  a  lover  of  fruits,  well  cultivated  in  a  congenial 
soil,  may  be  compared  to  '  refined  gold,'  while  the  same 
variety  in  unskilful  hands,  the  trees  neglected,  in  grass 
land,  or  in  wet  and  impoverished  soil,  may  prove  as 'dross.'" 

with  great  success,  and  is  there  regarded  as  the  most  valuable  of  all  known  pears. 
Au  interesting  example  occurred  the  past  season  in  the  garden  of  Dr.  Wendell  of 
Albany,  where  trees  of  this  variety,  in  soils  of  different  qualities  exhibited  ail  the 
grades  of  difference  from  blighted  and  worthless  fruit,  to  rich  golden  specimens. 
Further  evidence  on  this  subject  is  furnished  by  the  fact  that  the  Beurre  Diel  and 
other  sorts  of  quite  recent  origin,  have  in  unfavorable  localities  already  exhibited  the 
cracked  aad  blighted  appearance  falsely  ascribed  to  old  age. 

*  David  Thomas,  in  Ohio  Cultivator,  1845,  p.  6. 


INFLUENCE    OF   THE    SOIL    AND    STOCK.  53 

INFLUENCE    OF    THE    SOIL    AND    STOCK. 

There  was  much  truth  in  the  remark  of  Bacon,  that  "the 
scion  overruleth  the  stock  quite,  the  stock  being  passive 
only."  The  change  which  takes  place  when  the  sap  is  con- 
verted into  the  descending  juices,  and  thence  into  fruit,  is 
effected  entirely  by  the  leaves;  that  is,  when  a  pear  is 
grafted  on  a  quince,  the  entire  elaboration  of  the  juices 
is  effected  by  the  leaves  of  the  pear,  and  the  perfect  fruit 
of  the  pear  is  the  result,  and  not  a  cross  or  mixture  of 
the  two  fruits.  Hence  the  error  of  the  notion  formerly  held, 
that  the  stock  might  produce  a  distinct  specific  change,  ana- 
logous to  that  in  hybrids. 

But  although  one  species,  or  even  variety,  cannot  be 
changed  to  another  by  the  stock  which  supports  it,  a  slight 
modifying  influence  may  be  exerted  by  the  shade  of  differ- 
ence between  the  sap  of  one  species  and  that  of  another. 
The  sap  of  the  quince  may  exert  a  sensible  effect,  small  in 
degree,  even  after  it  has  undergone  the  great  change  which 
is  effected  by  the  leaves  of  the  pear.  We  accordingly  find 
some  sorts  of  pear  improved,  and  others  deteriorated  on  the 
quince. 

There  is  doubtless  an  analogy  in  the  influence  exerted  by 
different  stocks,  and  by  different  soils.  As  the  earth  is 
colder  in  summer  a  few  feet  below  than  near  the  surface,  it 
is  highly  probable  that  such  soils  as  variously  favor  the 
downward  extension  of  roots,  may  modify  the  character  of 
fruits  like  the  changes  of  seasons.  Different  trees  of  the  same 
variety  are  known  to  be  affected  by  slight  shades  of  differ- 
ence, which  are  often  ascribed  entirely  to  the  stock,  though 
the  soil  doubtless  has  a  large  share  of  influence.  This  view 
is  further  indicated  by  the  increased  or  diminished  luxuri- 
ance of  some  kinds  when  growing  in  a  light  or  .a  heavy  soil. 
Different  degrees  of  fertility  often  produce  material  effects, 
both  in  productiveness  and  flavor. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  stocks  on  which  trees  are  grafted, 
operate  in  some  degree  in  a  similar  way.  Some,  like  a 
rich  soil,  assist  the  more  rapid  growth  of  the  branches ; 
others,  like  a  sterile  one,  retard  it ;  hence  corresponding  re- 
salts  on  the  fruit  may  be  expected. 

Stocks  may  hasten  or  retard  ripening ;  they  may  affect 
the  size,  color,  and  quality  of  fruit.  The  temperature, 


54          INFLUENCE  OF  THE  SOIL  AND  STOCK. 

depth,  and  other  characters  of  soils  may  do  the  same.  Ten- 
der kinds  are  made  hardier  on  hardy  stocks,  not  because  of 
any  specific  influence,  but  the  usual  supplies  of  sap  are  im- 
parted sooner  in  spring  and  withheld  earlier  in  autumn,  arid 
the  tender  wood  has  more  time  to  mature — precisely  similar 
to  the  planting  of  tender  trees  on  sterile  or  rocky  soils,  which 
cause  an  earlier  cessation  of  growth. 

Although,  as  a  general  rule,  the  change  in  quality  is  so 
small  as  to  be  rarely  taken  into  account  in  practice,  it  is  in 
some  rare  instances  considerable,  and  is  worthy  of  investiga- 
tion and  experiment.  Early  fruits  have  been  sometimes 
retarded  a  few  days  in  ripening  when  grafted  upon  late  va- 
rieties of  their  own  species,  and  their  maturity  has  been 
hastened  on  early  stocks.  In  one  case,  the  Red  Magnum 
Bonum  plum  ripened  ten  days  earlier  when  grafted  on  the 
Cherry  plum,  a  variety  which  matures  at  midsummer,  dian 
when  worked  upon  a  late  prune.  In  another  instance,  late 
peach  stocks  were  found  to  retard  a  few  days  the  sorts  bud- 
ded upon  them.* 

In  one  instance,  related  by  President  Knight,  a  very 
marked  change  was  effected.  His  garden  contained  two 
trees  of  the  Acton  Scott  peach,  one  growing  upon  a  stock 
of  its  own  species,  and  the  other  on  a  plum,  other  circum- 
stances being  the  same.  The  fruit  of  that  upon  the  plum 
was  larger  and  much  more  red  to  the  sun ;  but  irs  pulp  was 
coarse,  arid  its  flavor  so  inferior  that  he  would  have  denied 
the  identity  of  the  variety  had  he  not  himself  inserted  the 
buds.  Such  remarkable  instances  are  to  be  regarded  as  of 
very  rare  occurrence. 

Salt  peaches  or  plums,  show  that  foreign  substances  may 
enter  the  juices,  and  modify  or  change  the  quality  of  the 
fruit,  as  well  as  poison  or  induce  disease  in  the  tree.  Solu- 
ble substances  in  the  soil  may  thus  exert  a  sensible  influ- 
ence. In  the  same  way,  the  peculiar  character  of  the  sap 
and  secretions  of  a  stock  may  produce  a  like  result. 

The,  increased  productiveness  effected  by  dissimilar  stocks, 
is  often  so  great  as  to  become  a  very  important  object  in 
practice.  "In  proportion,"  says  Lindley,  "as  the  scon 
and  the  stock  approach  each  other  closely  in  constitution, 
the  less  effect  is  produced  by  the  latter ;  and  on  the  contra- 

*  Hon.,  in.,  p.  191. 


INFLUENCE    OF    THE    SOIL    AND    STOCK.  55 

ry,  in  proportion  to  the  constitutional  difference  between  the 
stock  and  the  scion,  is  the  effect  of  the  former  important. 
Thus,  when  pears  are  grafted  or  budded  on  the  wild  species, 
apples  upon  crabs,  plums  upon  plums,  and  peaches  upon 
peaches  or  almonds,  the  scion  is,  in  regard  to  fertility,  exact- 
ly in  the  same  state  as  if  it  had  not  been  grafted  at  all ; 
while  on  the  other  hand,  a  great  increase  of  fertility  is  the 
result  of  grafting  pears  upon  quinces,  peaches  upon  plums, 
apples  upon  white  thorn,  and  the  like.  In  these  latter  cases, 
the  food  absorbed  from  the  earth  by  the  root  of  the  stock,  is 
communicated  slowly  and  unwillingly  to  the  scion ;  under 
no  circumstances  is  the  communication  between  the  one  and 
the  other  as  free  and  perfect  as  if  their  natures  had  been 
more  nearly  the  same  ;  the  sap  is  impeded  in  its  ascent,  and 
the  proper  juices  are  impeded  in  their  descent,  whence  ari- 
ses that  accumulation  of  secretion  which  is  sure  to  be  at- 
tended with  increased  fertility."  This  view  is  strongly  cor- 
roborated by  the  striking  similarity  between  the  swollen 
portion  of  a  grafted  limb  on  a  dissimilar  stock,  as  a  plum  on 
the  peach,  immediately  above  the  place  of  union,  and  the 
swollen  portion  of  an  ungrafted  tree  bound  with  a  ligature. 
From  the  preceding  remarks,  we  may  arrive  at  the  fol- 
lowing conclusions : — 

1.  That  the  difference  in  the  soluble  matter  contained  in 
the  sap  of  dissimilar  stocks,  may  exert  a  modifying  influence 
in  the  fruit ;  and  that  soluble  matters  in  the   soil,   or  their 
absence,  may  in  a  slight  degree  do  the  same. 

2.  That  a  further  change  is  at  the  same  time  effected  by 
increasing  or  lessening  the  supply  of  sap  from  the  stock  to 
the  graft ;  and  that  a  similar  change  may  result  from  a  fer- 
tile or  sterile  soil. 

3.  That  both  early  productiveness  and  early  maturity  may 
be  produced  by  a  stock  or  a  soil  which  lessens  the  luxuri- 
ance of  the  tree  ;  dwarf  trees  and  those  of  old  or  diminished 
growth  maturing  their  crops  perceptibly  earlier  than  those 
possessing  great  thriftiness  and  vigor. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  influence  of  the  stock  is  not  to  be 
taken  into  account  in  ordinary  practice,  except  with  kinds  of 
very  different  natures.  Cultivation  and  fertility  of  soil  are 
of  incalculably  greater  importance.  And  while  the  effects 
of  climate  are  to  be  attentively  observed  in  making  a  selec- 

3* 


56  INFLUENCE    OF    PRODUCTIVENESS. 

tion  of  varieties,  the  improvement  of  those  selected  sorts, 
to  the  highest  degree  of  perfection,  is  only  to  be  attained  by 
skilful  culture.* 

INFLUENCE    OF    PRODUCTIVENESS. 

When  fruit  is  thick  upon  the  branches,  both  size  and  fla- 
vor are  diminished.  Many  kinds  are  rendered  nearly  worth- 
less by  overbearing.  It  is  often  observed  that  early  apples 
and  peaches,  remaining  last  on  the  tree,  are  much  more  de- 
licious than  the  earlier  portions  which  ripened  on  crowded 
limbs.  With  some  varieties,  the  effect  of  productiveness  is 
so  great  as  wholly  to  alter  the  character.  A  tree  of  the 
Heath  Cling,  before  unknown  to  the  person  who  raised  it, 
bore  the  first  year  a  very  abundant  crop ;  and  the  fruit, 
which  had  been  recommended  as  of  great  size  and  excel- 
lence, was  small,  green,  with  only  a  disagreeable,  bitter 
taste.  In  the  warmer  and  longer  summer  of  the  following 
year,  the  fruit,  which  had  been  thinned  by  the  frost,  was 
three  inches  in  diameter,  very  handsome,  and  of  sweet  and 
excellent  flavor.  The  importance  of  understanding  these 
influences,  before  deciding  on  the  quality  of  a  new  fruit,  is 
at  once  evident.  The  advantages  of  pruning  are  to  be  as- 
cribed in  part  to  the  same  cause. 

*  The  influence  exerted  by  the  graft  on  the  stock,  although  not  strictly  within  the 
limits  of  thi«  chapter,  offers  an  interesting  subject  for  inquiry.  The  extension  of 
the  wood  of  the  stock,  by  successive  depositions  from  the  leaves  of  the  graft,  and 
through  the  cellular  system  of  the  bark,  so  as  to  preserve  the  strict  specific  identity 
of  the  wood  of  the  former,  is  familiar  to  every  practical  cultivator.  But  the  graft 
often  exerts  a  modifying  influence.  The  same  seedling  cherry  stocks,  grafted  with 
sorts  of  different  degrees  of  vigor,  soon  vary  in  the  amount  and  size  of  the  fibrous 
roots.  Trees  of  the  Imperial  Gage  and  Jefferson  plum,  a  few  feet  high,  when  bud- 
ded on  the  wild  plum,  were  found  to  liave  only  half  the  amount  of  roots  possessed 
by  the  unbudded  stocfc,  of  the  same  age.  "  A  graft  of  the  Green  Newtovvn  Pippin," 
says  Dr.  Kirtland,  "  will  invariably  render  the  bark  of  the  stock  rough  and  black, 
(the  habit  of  the  variety,)  within  three  years  after  its  insertion." 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SOIL,    MANURES,    SITUATION,    AND    ENCLOSURES. 


THE  SOIL  for  fruit  trees,  as  well  as  for  farm  crops,  should 
be  of  good  quality.  Whatever  will  produce  a  vigorous 
growth  of  corn  and  potatoes,  will  in  general  be  the  best  for 
fruit  trees.  Sterile  soil  is  unfavorable  for  both  ;  but  doubly 
so  for  the  latter,  for  while  it  only  lessens  in  quantity  the 
growth  of  farm  crops,  it  lessens  the  quantity  and  greatly  in- 
jures the  quality  of  fruit. 

Good  soils  vary  in  many  particulars ;  but  as  a  general 
rule,  one  which  is  dry,  firm,  mellow,  and  fertile,  is  well 
suited  to  the  cultivation  of  fruit  trees.  It  should  be  deep, 
to  allow  the  extension  of  the  roots ;  dry,  or  else  well  drain- 
ed, to  prevent  injury  from  stagnant  water  below  the  surface; 
firm,  and  not  peaty  or  spongy,  to  preclude  disaster  from 
frost. 

Very  few  soils  exist  in  this  country,  which  would  not  be 
much  benefitted,  for  all  decidedly  hardy  kinds,  as  the  apple 
and  pear,  by  good  manuring.  Shallow  soils  should  be 
loosened  deeply  by  heavy  furrows  and  manure ;  or  if  the 
whole  surface  cannot  be  thus  treated,  a  strip  of  ground  eight 
feet  wide,  where  the  row  of  trees  is  to  stand,  should  be  ren- 
dered in  this  way  deep  and  fertile  for  their  growth.  The 
manure  should  be  very  thoroughly  intermixed  with  the  soil 
by  repeated  harrowings.  An  admirable  method  of  deepen- 
ing soils  for  the  free  admission  of  the  fine  fibrous  roots,  is 
first,  to  loosen  it  as  deeply  as  practicable  with  the  subsoil 
plow  ;  and  then  to  trench-plow  this  deeply  loosened  bed  for 
the  intermixture  of  manure.  The  previous  subsoiling  ad- 
mits the  trench-plow  to  a  greater  depth  than  could  be  at- 
tained without  its  aid.  The  only  trees  which  will  not  bear 
a  high  fertility,  are  those  brought  originally  from  warmer 
countries,  and  liable  to  suffer  from  the  frost  of  winter ;  as 


58  SPECIAL    MANURES. 

the  peach,  nectarine,  and  apricot ;  for  they  are  stimulated  to 
grow  too  late  in  the  season,  and  frost  strikes  them  when  the 
wood  is  immature.  It  however  happens,  in  the  ordinary 
practice  of  the  country,  that  where  one  peach  or  apricot  tree 
is  injured  by  too  rich  a  cultivation,  more  than  a  hundred 
suffer  by  diminished  growth  from  neglect. 

Clayey  and  light  soils  in  some  cases  require  opposite  ma- 
nagement. The  former,  for  instance,  is  much  benefited  by 
the  admixture  of  chip-dirt,  which  renders  it  looser,  lighter, 
and  more  retentive  of  moisture.  But  on  light  soils  the 
effect  is  not  so  beneficial,  and  is  sometimes  positively  inju- 
rious.* 

Peaty  and  spongy  soil?  are  particularly  injurious  to  tender 
fruits.  Such  soils  become  very  warm  by  day,  and  radiate 
the  heat  rapidly  in  clear  frosty  nights ;  hence  peaches  and 
apricots  generally  perish  when  growing  in  them,  the  heat 
of  the  sun  promoting  a  rapid  succulent  growth,  which  is  the 
more  easily  destroyed  by  the  succeeding  intensity  of  cold. 

SPECIAL    MANURES. 

Besides  the  more  common  and  universal  ingredients  of 
soils,  sand  and  clay  there  are  others  essential  to  the  growth 
of  trees.  Among  the  more  important  of  these  are  potash, 
lime,  and  phosphate  of  lime. 

Now,  whatever  earthy  ingredients  are  found  in  the  wood, 
bark,  and  fruit  of  trees,  must  be  derived  from  the  soil ;  and 
if  the  soil  in  which  they  are  planted  does  not  contain  all 
these  ingredients,  the  trees  cannot  flourish.  It  therefore 
becomes  vitally  important  to  supply  such  deficiencies  by  the 
applica'ion  of  the  particular  or  specific  manure  needed. 

But  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  cultivators  generally  will 
be  able  to  analyze  their  variously  differing  soils,  nor  to  pro- 
cure it  done  by  a  skilful  chemist. t  The  next  thing,  then, 

*  A  great  deal  of  m  s';;!  de-stand  ng  has  arisen  from  an  indefinite  u-<e  of  terms. 
We  often  n  lice  in  i  region  of  couu  ry  wnere  a  eavy  ha  ing  riay  prevails,  <  er- 
tain  -pots  of  ground  locally  designated  as  "  quite  sandy ;  and  in  n  s;iiidv  r.jgion,  por- 
tions  which  are  pointed  nut  as1"  heavy  -lay.'1  Yet  we  not  u  fr  quent'y  fin  i  that 
the  *a»dt/  s  >,1  of  the  clay  region  ac  ually  co  :tains  more  c  ay  than  l.ir  cZ»;//W)il  of  ihe 
s  ;ndv  district.  Tue  terms,  a.s  commo.jly  u«ed.  i«re  relative  ;  and  lo  decide  c  >rreci- 
ly  on  siati  menu  made  by  others,  w>  are  competed  to  inquirt-  where  the  nut  or-  of 
siK-h  st  <i"menis  re-id-,  and  wit  i  what  -o,ls  they  ha\v  :  ecu  fain  IUT.  The  .  esl  sim- 
ple ru'e  for  distinguishing,  applicable  10  all  localiiie-,  i<  r>  regard  such  soils  as  in 
any  case  are  found  to  crack  in  dr«:ut:i,  as  heavy,  aiul  thos«-  which  never  craCK.  a? 
light  soils. 

t  Considerable  difficulty  exists  in  procuring  perfect  analyses  of  soils  In  examining 
one  of  the  most  fertile  soils  of  Monroe  Co.,  N.Y.,  Dr.  Emmoiis  did  not  discover  even 


SPECIAL   MANURES.  59 

that  can  be  accomplished  is  to  ascertain  the  component 
parts  of  the  different  kinds  of  trees,  which  are  nearly  the 
same  in  all  localities.  If  it  is  found  that  a  particular 
species  contains  an  unusual  quantity  of  some  certain  ingre- 
dient, we  may  safely  conclude  that  such  ingredient  should 
be  largely  supplied  as  a  manure. 

As  instances,  analysis  has  shown  that  the  pear,  the 
apple,  and  the  grape,  contain,  of  100  parts  each  of  earthy 
ingredients,  the  following  proportions  of  potash,  lime,  and 
j-hosphate  of  lime  : — * 

Pear. 

Sap-wood.  Bark. 

Potash 22  6 

Lime 13  SO 

Phosphate  of  lime 27  6 

Apple. 

Potash 16  5 

Lime 19  51 

Phosphate  of  lime 17  3 

Grape. 

Potash 21  2 

Lime    17  39 

Phosphate  of  lime 15  5 

The  proportions  of  these  ingredients,  although  not  exceed- 
ing the  quantities  found  in  sume  other  plants,  are  so  large 
as  to  show  conclusively  the  importance  of  a  proper  supply 
in  the  soil.  They  already  exist  in  all  soils  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  fruit  trees;  but  their  small  amount  in  particular 
localities,  from  natural  deficiency,  or  from  long  cultivation, 
may  render  their  application  a  matter  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance. Such  application  may  b-  partially  made  by  common 
yard  manure,  which  contains  them  in  considerable  propor- 
tions ;  but  wood  ashes,  in  which  they  mostly  exist  in  large 
quantities,  will  furnish  them  more  freely  and  with  a  more 
speedy  effect ;  as  from  the  large  proportion  of  animal  matter 
in  yard  manure,  too  much  succulence  of  growth  or  even 

a  irace  of  plxwphates  when  100  grains,  and  afterwards  «IOO  grains,  of  the  soil  wereor.e- 
rritfti  upon,  and  it  was  only  when  1000  prams  were  u^ed.  thai  a  fiv«--th<»u*iu>dtft  part 
w-i<  delft-red  Yet  th.s  minute  proportion  is  equal  to  about  ten  cubic  feet  per  acre 
\vMh  a  depth  of  one  foot,  and  supplies  the  necessary  ingredient  for  heavy  crops. 

*  According  to  the  experimeuu  of  Dr.  Emraons. 


60  SPECIAL    MANURES. 

surfeit  would  result  from  its  abundant  and  exclusive  appli- 
cation, an  evil  in  no  wise  resulting  from  the  use  of  ashes. 
But  over-doses,  even  of  these,  should  be  avoided. 

The  large  proportion  of  lime  in  the  wood  an.d  bark  of  the 
apple,  indicates  its  value  as  a  manure  for  this  fruit ;  we 
accordingly  find  that  leached  ashes,  which  contain  much 
lime,  are  eminently  useful.  Leached  as  well  as  unleached 
ashes  may  indeed  be  applied  with  great  advantage  to  nearly 
all  fruit  trees.  Bones  contain  much  phosphate  of  lime,  and, 
pulverized,  they  would  undoubtedly  in  many  cases  produce 
an  excellent  effect  on  the  pear,  and  other  species. 

Iron  is  found  only  in  minute  quantities  in  the  wood  and 
bark  of  trees  ;  yet  the  speedy  restoration  from  pale  and 
sickly  to  deep  green  and  luxuriant  foliage,  by  its  application 
to  the  roots  in  some  instances,  proves  that  however  small 
its  proportion  may  be,  its  presence  is  essential. 

An  interesting  experiment  is  stated  in  the  Horticulturist,* 
upon  a  large  pear  tree,  bearing  blighted,  cracked  and  worth- 
less fruit,  which  resulted  in  its  perfect  restoration  to  health, 
and  the  production  of  smooth  and  fair  crops.  This  change 
was  affected  by  digging,  three  feet  distant  from  the  tree, 
a  circular  trench  four  feet  wide  and  twenty  inches  deep ; 
filling  this  with  fresh,  rich  soil  and  turf,  and  intermingling 
two  bushels  of  scoriae  from  a  blacksmith's  forge,  two  bushels 
of  charcoal,  and  two  pounds  of  potash.  The  fresh  soil  and 
potash,  doubtless  contributed  largely  to  success.  Other 
experiments  of  a  similar  character  have  been  equally 
successful. 

Dr.  Kirtland  states  that  orchards  on  the  limestone  hills  of 
Ohio,  invariably  afford  the  best  apples — a  remark  fully 
corroborated  by  other  observations.  The  same  eminent 
cultivator  gives  the  following  account  of  his  success  with 
specific  manures :  his  pear  trees  on  worn  out  land,  made 
but  two  to  six  inches  growth  in  a  single  season,  and  the 
fruit  was  blighted,  knotted,  and  deficient  in  flavor.  They 
soon  began  to  exhibit  evidences  of  disease  and  old  age.  An 
analysis  of  the  soil  was  made  by  Dr.  Emmons,  indicating 
its  deficiencies.  Dressings  of  phosphate  of  lime,  [in  pul- 
verised bones,]  ashes,  and  barn-yard  manure,  with  a  limited 
supply  of  common  salt,  effected  a  complete  renovation. 

*  Vol.  I.,  p.  226. 


SPECIAL    MANURES. 


61 


The  subject  of  special  manures  is  destined  to  become  one 
of  great  interest  to  cultivators.  It  is  yet  in  its  infancy. 
Many  years  of  careful  experiment,  guided  by  patient  and 
laborious  analysis,  can  only  carry  it  forward  to  maturity. 
But  in  the  meantime,  enough  is  known  to  enable  orchardists 
to  operate  in  many  instances  with  great  advantage.  Not 
always  knowing  the  deficient  ingredient,  they  may  not  at 
once  apply  the  precise  remedy.  But  there  are  some  ma- 
nures that  can  never  do  injury,  that  will  usually  be  highly 
beneficial,  and  sometimes  yield  extraordinary  results.  To 
enable  cultivators  to  experiment  with  these,  the  following 
excellent  practical  hints  are  given  from  the  Horticulturist, 
from  the  pen  of  A.  J.  Downing,  its  editor : — 

"  For  old  apple  orchards,  upon  soil  deficient  in  lime,  we 
would  recommend  a  top-dressing  of  lime — for  the  first  time 
— of  200  bushels  to  the  acre.  This  will,  usually,  if  the 
land  is  in  good  condition,  bring  the  trees  into  good  bearing 
condition  again.  In  some  soils,  the  effects  will  be  imme- 
diate, and  in  others  it  will  require  one  or  two  seasons  for 
the  lime  to  produce  its  effect.* 

"For  middle  sized  bearing  trees,  a  peck  of  air-slaked  lime 
to  each  tree,  is  sufficient.  It  is,  perhaps,  best  applied  in 
the  autumn,  but  it  will  answer  very  well  in  the  spring. 
Scatter  it  evenly  over  the  surface  of  the  ground,  as  far  as 
the  roots  extend.  It  may  be  ploughed  or  hoed  under 
slightly,  or  left  upon  the  surface,  as  it  will  find  its  way 
downwards  in  the  soil. 

"  To  keep  an  apple  orchard  in  the  fruit-bearing  condition, 
in  a  soil  not  calcareous,  and  not  naturally  congenial  to  the 
tree,  it  should  be  dressed  with  lime,  and  with  ashes,  every 
alternate  autumn,  and  manured  every  other  spring.  The 
same  quantity  of  spent  ashes  as  of  lime,  may  be  used  for 
each  tree. 

"  For  the  pear  tree,  we  prefer  the  following  compost. 
Take  a  wagon  load  of  peat,  or  black  swamp  earth — dissolve 
20  Ibs.  of  potash  in  water,  and  water  the  peat  thoroughly 
with  the  liquid.  Let  it  lie  a  couple  of  days,  and  it  is  fit  for 
use.  Or,  for  the  same  quantity  of  peat,  use  one-third  of  a 
load  of  leached  wood  ashes,  (or  ten  bushels  of  fresh  ashes,) 

*  Oyster-shell  lime  is  the  very  best— some  others  contain  too  much  magnesia— 
but,  perhaps,  only  a  few. 


62  SITUATION. 

mixing  the  whole,  and  letting  it  lie  a  fortnight  before  using- 
it.  Give  each  middle  sized  bearing  tree,  a  bushtl  of  this 
compost  annually ;  a  newly  planted  young  tree,  half  a 
peck,  and  others  in  this  proportion.  If  this  compost  is 
applied  in  the  spring,  the  trees  may  also  have  a  top- 
dretsing  of  bone  dust,  if  easily  obtained,  in  the  autumn,  at 
the  /ate  of  half  a  peck  to  a  tree. 

"  The  same  compost,  and  the  same  quantities,  will 
answer  admirably  for  the  grape  vine.  But  as  the  grape 
is  a  strong  feeder,  and  likes  more  lime  than  the  pear,  we 
would  give  it  besides,  an  autumnal  coat  of  lime,  at  the  rate 
of  from  50  to  100  bushels  to  the  acre,  applied  along  with 
any  manure  or  compost  most  easily  obtained. 

"For  the  plum  tree,  in  light  soils,  (there  is  little  or  nu 
difficulty  in  growing  it  in  clay  soils,)  we  would  recommend 
a  com.post,  made  as  follows  :  To  two  wagon  loads  of  strong 
loam,  or  yellow  clay,  add  a  bushel  of  cheap  salt  and  four 
bushels  of  lime.  Mix  the  whole  thoroughly  ;  suffering  it 
to  lie  at  least  a  fortnight.  Apply  this  as  a  top  layer  or  top 
dressing  to  the  soil  directly  under  plum  trees,  (spreading  it 
over  the  surface  as  far  as  the  branches  extend,)  at  the  rate 
of  two  bushels  to  a  middle  sized  bearing  tree,  or  half  a  peck 
to  a  young,  newly  planted  tree. 

"  As  a  general  compost  for  fruit  trees,  we  repeat,  that 
nothing  is  equal  to  that  formed  of  ashes  and  peat.  These 
materials  are  easily  obtained  in  all  parts  of  the  country, 
and  they  contain  the  elements  most  essential  in  the  organic 
and  inorganic  structure  of  fruit  trees.  Where  peat  is  not 
at  hand,  use  wood  ashes  alone,  at  the  rate  of  half  a  bushel 
of  leached  ashes  to  each  middle  sized  bearing  fruit  tree. 
But  as  ashes  furnish  only  the  mineral  or  inorganic  elements 
of  food,  the  usual  supply  of  ordinary  manure  must  not  be 
withheld,  unless  the  soil  is  already  sufficiently  rich." 

SITUATION. 

After  a  suitable  soil  is  obtained,  hardy  trees,  such  as  the 
apple,  will  usually  succeed  in  almost  any  situation.  But 
with  tender  fruits,  as  the  peach  and  apricot,  the  case  is  very 
different.  In  many  localities  in  the  northern  states,  they  are 
soon  destroyed  by  the  severity  of  winters,  and  their  cultiva- 
tion is  accordingly  not  attempled.  In  others,  crops  are  not 


SITUATION.  63 

yk-lded  oftener  than  once  in  two  years.  But  some  situations 
ur.-  so  favorable,  that  a  failure  scarcely  ever  occurs.  In  plant- 
i.igr  out  tender  fruits,  it  is  consequently  very  desirable  to  know 
what  p  aces  will  prove  the  best.  Even  the  apple,  in  re- 
gions where  the  winters  are  rigorous,  is  sometimes  destroy- 
ed by  frost,  and  in  some  very  unfavorable  places  rarely 
escapes. 

It  is  familiar  to  many  cultivators,  that  warm,  low  valleys 
are  more  subject  to  night-frosts,  than  more  elevated  locali- 
ties. Objects  at  the  surface  of  the  earth  become  chilled  by 
the  radiation  of  heat  to  the  cold  and  clear  sky  above,  and 
they  cool  by  contact  the  surrounding  air, — which  thus  be- 
coming heavier,  rolls  down  the  sides  of  declivities  and  set- 
tles Ike  the  waters  of  a  lake,  in  the  lowest  troughs.  This 
coldness  is  further  increased  by  the  stillness  of  those  shel- 
tered places  favoring  the  more  rapid  cooling,  by  radiation  of 
the  exposed  surfaces ;  while  on  hills  the  equilibrium  is  par- 
tially restored  by  currents  of  wind.  Superadded  to  these 
causes,  vegetation  in  low,  rich,  and  sheltered  places,  is  more 
luxuriant,  and  wood  less  ripened,  and  hence  particularly 
liable  to  injury  from  frost.  The  mucky  soil  of  Tallies  ra- 
diates heat  rapidly  from  its  surface.  The  warmth  of  low 
places,  during  the  mild  weather,  often  occurring  in  winter, 
often  swells  fruit-buds,  and  succeeding  cold  destroys  them. 
On  more  elevated  lands,  vegetation  escapes  all  these  disas- 
trous influences. 

The  existence  of  colder  air  in  valleys,  on  still,  clear  nights, 
is  often  plainly  observed  in  riding  over  a  rolling  or  broken 
face  of  country.  The  thermometer  has  often  shown  a  dif- 
ference of  several  degrees  between  a  creek  bottom  and  a 
neighboring  hill  not  fifty  feet  high.  A  striking  proof  was 
exhibited  a  few  years  since,  after  a  severe  night-frost  early 
in  summer.  The  young  and  succulent  leaves  of  the  hicko- 
ry were  but  partially  expanded ;  and  where  the  trees  btood 
in  a  valley,  twenty  feet  deep,  all  the  leaves  had  been  .frost- 
ed, and  were  black  and  dead,  up  to  the  level  of  the  banks 
on  each  side,  while  all  above  the  surface  of  this  lake  of  cold 
air,  were  fresh  and  green. 

In  the  winter  of  1845-6,  when  the  cold  on  a  clear  night 
sunk  the  thermometer  several  degrees  below  zero,  after  the 


64  SITUATION. 

peach  buds  had  been  swelled  by  a  few  warm  days,  trees 
which  stood  on  a  hill  thirty  feet  higher  than  the  neighbor- 
ing creek  valley,  lost  nine-tenths  of  their  blossoms,  while 
on  another  hill  sixty  feet  high,  nine-tenths  escaped.  The 
lake  of  cold  air  which  covered  the  top  of  the  smaller  hill 
did  not  reach  the  summit  of  the  larger. 

The  cultivation  of  the  peach  is  rarely  attempted  in  the 
southern  tier  of  counties  in  the  state  of  New- York.  Proofs 
are  not  wanting,  however,  that  it  might  be  entirely  suc- 
cessful on  selected  ground.  In  the  valley  of  the  Conhoc- 
ton,  which  is  flanked  by  hills  500  feet  high,  peach  trees 
have  been  completely  killed  to  the  ground.  But  on  one  of 
the  neighboring  hills,  500  feet  above,  and  probably  1,200 
feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  an  orchard  planted  in  good 
soil,  yields  regular  crops.  In  the  town  of  Spencer,  Tioga 
county,  near  the  head  of  Cayuga  inlet,  peaches  have  with- 
stood the  climate  and  done  well,  at  an  elevation  of  700 
feet  above  Cayuga  lake.  In  the  northeastern  part  of  Penn- 
sglvania,  probably  1200  or  1500  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
ocean,  in  the  summer  of  1835,  after  one  of  the  severest 
winters  for  twenty  years,  the  only  two  peach  trees  observed 
in  travelling  many  miles,  were  full  of  peaches  ;  while  after 
the  same  winter,  a  large  tree  in  Stroudsburg  valley,  was 
noticed  killed  quite  down  to  the  ground.  While  those  hills 
are  usually  covered  with  snow  throughout  the  winter,  and 
vegetation  consequently  remains  uniformly  dormant,  the 
valleys  are  subjected  to  occasional  thaws,  and  are  more  un 
favorable  to  tender  vegetation. 

These  cases  show  the  importance  of  elevated  sites.  A 
dry,  firm  soil,  is  however,  of  great  consequence.  The  in 
fluence  of  a  compact  knoll,  rising  but  slightly  above  the 
rest  of  the  field,  has  been  observed  to  save  from  frost  the 
corn  which  grew  upon  it ;  while  on  the  more  mucky  of 
spongy  portions  of  the  rest  of  the  field,  radiating  heat  more 
freely,  the  crop  has  been  destroyed.  Cultivators  of  drained 
swamps  have  found  it  necessary  to  plant  such  lands  with 
tender  crops  two  or  three  weeks  later  than  the  usual  period 
on  upland.  The  successful  cultivation  of  the  peach  and  the 
grape,  on  the  gently  swelling  hills  called  mounds,  in  the 
in  the  western  prairies,  while  the  crops  are  destroyed  on 
the  adjacent  dark  and  porous  soils  of  the  plains,  affords  ano- 


SITUATION.  65 

ther  example.  In  Lycoming  county,  Pa.,  on  the  banks  of 
the  Loyalsock,  a  creek  so  rapid  that  no  muck  is  deposited, 
but  fine  dry  soil,  peaches  have  been  raised,  though  the  cold 
is  often  intense.* 

Sometimes  the  effect  of  unfavorable  soil  more  than  over- 
balances that  of  situation.  In  some  of  the  hilly  parts  of 
western  New- York,  where  the  highest  land  is  peaty,  spongy, 
or  springy,  and  the  valleys  dry  and  firm,  the  latter  are  found 
best  for  the  peach.  "  Some  years  ago,  we  drained  a  shallow 
swamp ;  and  though  the  situation  is  high  and  airy,  peach 
trees  of  the  best  bearing  kinds  planted  there,  have  always 
been  unproductive."! 

The  preceding  facts  furnish  strong  reasons  for  believing, 
that  in  large  portions  of  the  northern  states,  where  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  peach  has  been  entirely  relinquished  in 
consequence  of  the  only  attempts  made  having  been  in  the 
warm  vallies,  abundant  crops  might  be  regularly  obtained 
by  a  proper  selection  of  soil  and  locality.  Even  much  fur- 
ther south,  the  occasional  destruction  of  tender  fruits,  points 
out  the  great  importance  of  careful  attention  to  situation. 
The  death  by  frost  of  large  orange  trees  in  Florida  in  1835, 
proves  that  all  parts  of  the  country  are  liable  to  such  disas- 
ters, and  that  no  means  of  prevention  are  to  be  overlooked. 

Occasionally  crops  are  saved  by  the  artificial  application  of 
a  remedy,  which  may  be  briefly  glanced  at  in  connection 
with  this  subject.  In  one  case,  a  bank  of  snow  covering 
the  lower  limb  of  a  peach  tree,  saved  the  fruit,  while  all  on 
the  rest  of  the  tree  perished.  In  another,  a  row  of  peach 
trees  close  along  the  north  side  of  a  fence,  where  snow- 
drifts lay,  were  more  fruitful  than  the  other  trees.  Hence 
the  practice  of  piling  snow  round  them  has  been  recom- 
mended, and  in  some  cases  practiced  with  success.  It  can- 
not be  considered  infallible  in  any  situation.  It  is  only 
useful  where  a  slight  reduction  of  temperature  is  sufficient 
to  prevent  the  starting  of  the  buds.  We  can  easily  conceive 
such  a  time,  when  a  part  of  the  buds  start,  and  a  part  do 
not.  In  one  season,  the  lower  buds  on  the  tree,  which  re- 

J  The  skilful  cultivator,  as  he  values  the  size  and  quality  of  his  fruit,  will  rendily 
distinguish  between  a  rich  soil  consisting  chiefly  of  spongy  muck  and  peat,  and  a  dry 
and  firm  soil  rendered  fertile  by  a  due  admixture  of  these  substances,  and  potash, 
lime,  and  good  manure. 

t  D.  Thomas,  Traas.  N.  Y  State  Ag.  Society,  vol.  I. 


66  INFLUENCE    OF    DEEP    LAKES    AND    RIVERS. 

ceived  the  reflected  heat  from  the  ground,  nearly  all  started, 
and  were  killed,  while  those  on  the  tops  of  the  trees  were 
not  injured.  It  is  evident  that  a  very  slight  depression  of 
temperature  would  have  been  sufficient  to  have  prevented 
the  lower  buds  from  starting.  But  the  warmth  rnay  be  so 
great,  either  late  in  autumn  or  in  mid-winter,  that  no  check 
of  the  kind  would  be  sufficient. 

It  has  often  been  observed  that  woods  or  thick  trees, 
buildings,  high  board  fences,  or  steep  hills,  on  the  east  side 
of  peach  orchards,  protect  the  crop.  Hence  the  erroneous 
opinion,  that  it  is  the  east  wind,  which  does  the  damage.  It 
is  the  sunshine  upon  the  frozen  buds  which  destroys  them ; 
hence,  a  clouded  sky  after  a  clear  frosty  night,  by  prevent- 
ing sudden  thawing,  sometimes  saves  a  crop.  Covering 
trees  of  rare  kinds  with  mats,  to  shade  them  from  the  morn- 
ing sun,  after  an  intensely  frosty  night,  might -sometimes 
be  highly  beneficial. 

Influence  of  deep  Lakes  and,  Hirers. — Large  bodies  of  un- 
freezing water  in  the  bottoms  of  valleys,  will  reverse  some 
of  the  preceding  rules,  and  the  banks  of  such  waters  are  pe- 
culiarly adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  tender  fruits.  They 
soften  the  severity  of  the  cold,  by  the  large  and  warmer 
surface  constantly  presented  ;  on  the  other  hand,  they  chill 
the  dangerous  warm  air  which  starts  the  buds  in  winter; 
and  they  afford  great  protection  by  the  screen  of  fog  which 
they  spread  before  the  morning  sun.  Along  the  borders  of 
the  lower  parts  of  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  banks  of  the 
Cayuga  and  Seneca  lakes,  tender  fruit  trees  often  afford 
abundant  crops,  while  the  same  kinds  are  destroyed  only 
two  or  three  miles  distant.  Along  the  southern  shore  of 
Lake  Ontario,  the  peach  crop  scarcely  ever  fails,  and  the 
softening  influence  of  that  large  body  of  unfreezing  water, 
extends  many  miles  into  the  interior. 

ENCLOSURES. 

The  skilful  cultivator,  after  having  prepared  his  ground, 
procured  the  best  trees  the  country  affords,  carefully  trans- 
planted them,  and  watched  over  them,  and  giveu  them 
careful  and  laborious  attention  for  years,  feels  a  very 
natural  desire  to  partake  of  their  fruits.  But  this  he  can- 
not do,  in  many  places,  unless  his  fruit  garden  is  protected 


ENCLOSURES.  67 

from  idle  boys'  rambles.  It  cannot  be  concealed  that  our 
country  is  rather  remarkable  for  its  fruit  pilferers.  It  is 
feared  it  will  continue  to  be  so,  until  public  opinion  shall 
place  the  young  man  who  steals  a  pocket-book,  and  the 
depredator  of  fine  fruit,  which  has  cost  the  owner  as  much 
care  and  labor,  and  which  money  cannot  replace,  on  pre- 
cisely the  same  level.* 

This  formidable  evil  has  deterred  many  from  planting 
fruit-gardens.  The  most  quiet  and  secure  protection  is  af- 
forded by  a  good  thorn  hedge.  The  English  hawthorn,  far 
to  the  north,  will  generally  succeed  quite  well  for  this  pur- 
pose ;  the  Washington  and  Newcastle  thorns  are  less  lia- 
ble to  disaster  from  drouth  and  hot  summers,  and  the  at- 
tacks of  insects  ;  but  the  Buckthorn,  which  gradually  thick- 
ens in  ermour  as  it  becomes  older,  appears  to  be  the  only 
perfectly  hardy  and  reliable  hedge  plant  for  severe  climates. 
The  Osage  Orange,  however,  where  the  winters  are  not  too 
cold,  will  be  found  best  of  all.  Its  numerous  and  terrific 
thorns  render  it  perfectly  impassable.  It  is  sufficiently  har- 
dy in  all  places  where  the  peach  crop  generally  escapes. 
Further  north  than  41  or  4^J  degrees  of  latitude,  it  cannot  be 
expected  to  succeed  in  low  valleys ;  but  on  elevated  ground, 
the  winter-killing  of  its  smaller  shoots,  \vill  only  tend  to 
thicken  it  below,  like  trimming  with  shears.  The  Michi- 
gan rose,  in  connexion  with  a  high  beard  or  picket  fence, 
which  it  has  covered  and  interlaced,  has  been  found  an  ef- 
fectual protection  to  a  fruit  garden.  It  grows  as  freely  from 
layers  and  cuttings  as  the  grape  vine. 

*  "  The  native  fruit  of  a  thickly  populated  country,  growing  without  culture 
and  free  for  all,  has  doubtless  had  its  share  in  producing  this  laxity  of  morals.  '  I 
would  sooner  have  a  hundred  Irishmen  round  me  than  one  Yankee.'  was  the  declara- 
tion i -fa  sufferer,  whose  fruit  had  been  plundered  near  the  line  of  the  Erie  canal, 
when  that  great  work  WHS  in  progress.  But  Europeans  are  generally  more  exem- 
plary on  this  pojnt  than  Americans — ihame  on  us  !  When  Professor  Stowe  was  in 
Prussia,  where  the  roads  are  Ihied  with  fruit  irees  by  order  of  the  government,  he 
observed  a  wisp  of  straw  attached  to  particular  trees,  to  protect  the  fruit ;  a  sufficient 
guard  ;  but  he  suggested  to  the  coachman,  tlm  in  America,  it  might  only  prove  an 
invitation  to  plunder.  '  Have  you  no  schools?'  was  the  significant  reply. 

"  Yes,  we  have  schools  ;  but  how  many  where  the  child  is  taught  to  respect  his 
neighbor's  property  ?  Too  often  he  acquires  literature  and  vice  at  the  same  time. 
The  state  of  New- York  is  famous  for  her  schools  and  her  prisons;  the  latter  to  supply 
the  defects  of  the  former  system,  which  they  do  however,  very  imperfectly.  Br  Her 
let  the  mandate  go  forth  that  the  morality  of  the  Bible  shall  be  one  of  the  chief  objects 
of  instruction.  TKACH  HER  CHILDREN  TO  BE  HONKST,  and  then  with  science  a;*! 
literature,  a  foundation  for  true  greatness  and  prosperity  would  be  laid."— David 
Thomas,  in  Tram.  N.  Y.  State  Ag.  Society,  Vol.  1,  p.  223. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


TRANSPLANTING. 


NEARLY  every  fruit  tree  must  at  some  period  be  removed 
from  the  nursery,  and  transplanted  into  the  orchard  or  gar- 
den. When  it  is  remembered  that  in  a  large  number  of 
instances,  where  hastily  performed,  the  trees  perish  from 
the  act ;  and  that  in  a  still  larger  number,  including  a  great 
majority,  a  severe  check  is  given  to  their  growth,  it  needs 
no  argument  to  show  the  importance  of  transplanting  well. 

This  removal  is  from  necessity,  an  act  of  violence.  As 
frequently  performed,  it  is  so  severe  that  it  either  results 
in  death,  or  a  lingering  recovery.  But  with  the  skilful 
operator,  the  rigor  of  the  operation  may  be  so  softened,  as 
to  be  not  only  attended  with  perfect  safety  to  the  tree,  but 
with  scarcely  an  abatement  in  the  thriftiness  of  its  growth. 

It  may  indeed  sometimes  happen,  that  careless  manage- 
ment from  an  accidental  combination  of  favorable  causes, 
is  followed  with  success.  The  entire  failure  of  similar 
treatment  in  other  cases,  proves  the  superiority  of  the  mode 
which  shall  invariably  accomplish  the  object,  with  the  same 
certainty  that  cause  is  followed  by  effect.  The  most  skilful 
cultivators,  who  have  the  whole  operation  at  their  control, 
never  expect  to,  and  actually  do  not,  lose  one  tree  in  a 
thousand. 

Taking  up  the  tree,  and  shortening -in.  Every  person, 
about  to  transplant  a  tree,  should  remember  that  the  roots 
and  the  leaves  both  perform  very  important  offices,  the  one 
constantly  dependent  on  the  other.  The  first  collects  food 
for  the  tree  ;  the  other  elaborates  and  prepares  this  food  for 
use.  Without  the  roots,  the  leaves  and  rest  of  the  tree 
perish.  Without  the  leaves,  the  root  cannot  grow,  and 
eventually  dies. 

It  is  obvious  that  if  a  tree  could  be  removed  with  all  its 
roots,  including  all  the  numerous  thread-like  radicles,  and 


TRANSPLANTING. 


69 


placed  in  its  new  situation  precisely  as  it  stood  before,  it 
would  suffer  no  check  in  growth.  The  nearer  then,  we  can 
approach  this,  the  greater  will  be  our  success. 

There  is  no  difficulty  in  saving  the  leaf-bearing  branches. 
All  our  attention  must  accordingly  be  directed  to  the  roots. 
The  spade  should  be  set  into  the  earth  at  a  distance  from 
the  tree,  and  ihe  whole  carefully  lifted,  not  forcibly  with- 
drawn, from  the  soil.  Or,  so  much  of  the  earth  should  be 
separated  in  a  circle  by  the  spade,  that  when  the  tree  is 
withdrawn,  a  large  portion  of  the  soil  may  be  lifted  with 
it  with  the  small  fibres.*  The  roots  of  a  young  tree  usually 
extend  in  a  circle  quite  equal  to  its  height;  the  workman, 
therefore,  who  cuts  off  all  within  six  inches  of  a  tree  which 
is  itself  eight  feet  high,  deprives  it  of  a  large  portion  of 

its  means  of  sustenance. 
In  the  annexed  figure, 
a  indicates  the  trunk  of 
the  tree;  bb  the  circle 
of  roots  cut  off  with  the 
spade  in  a  hasty  re- 
moval ;  and  without  this 
circle,  the  rest  of  the 
roots  which  are  left  in 
the  earth.  Fig.  35. 

But  in  ordinary,  or 
even  very  careful  prac- 
tice, a  part  of  this  wide 
network  of  fibres  must 
necessarily  be  separated 
from  the  tree.  It  is  evi- 
dent then,  that  the  usual  supplies  of  sap  to  the  leaves  must 
be  in  part  cut  off.  Now  the  leaves  are  constantly  (during 
day)  throwing  off  insensible  moisture  into  the  air;  and  good 
sized  trees  thus  give  off  daily,  many  pounds.  Reduce  the 
supply  from  below,  and  the  leaves  cannot  flourish ;  and  if 
the  reduction  is  severe,  the  tree  withers  and  dies. 

The  remedy  consists  in  lessening  the  number  of  leaves, 

*  Some  cultivators  have  adopted  the  opinion  that  the  small  fibres  are  unimportant, 
and  may  be  cut  off  without  lessening  the  chances  of  growing.  But  this  can  only  be 
true  with  very  small  trees  or  seedlings,  which  quickly  reproduce  a  multitude  of  small 
roots,  after  the  top  is  removed  for  the  insertion  of  a  graft ;  or  where  the  fibres  of 
larger  trees  have  been  killed  by  exposure  after  removal,  and  which  are  followed  by 
a  necessary  lopping  of  the  branches. 


70 


TRANSPLANTING. 


X 


so  as  to  correspond  with  the  diminished  supply.  This  may 
be  done  in  two  ways :  one,  by  shortening  back  every  shoot 
of  the  previous  year,  to  one  quarter  of  its  length,  and  in 
extreme  cases,  every  shoot  may  be  shortened  back  to  one 

lud,  just  above  the  previous 
year's  wood.  The  other  mode, 
attended  with  more  labor,  but 
preserving  the  full  size  of  the 
head,  is  to  leave  all  the  shoots 
entire,  and  remove  every  al- 
ternate bud,  leaving  the  ter- 
minals, or  remove  two-thirds 
or  three-quarters  of  the  buds 
in  the  same  way.  Neither  of 
these  modes  can  in  the  least 
degree  destroy  the  natural  sym- 
metry of  the  tree.  Cutting 
off  large  branches  at  random 
often  quite  spoils  the  shape. 
Fi°  36  Fis- 37  Fig.  36,  represents  an  unpruned 

tree,  and  fig.  37,  the  same  with  the  shoots  shortened  back. 

Where  peach  and  other  trees  have 
been  once  a  year  trimmed  up  to  a  single 
stem,  while  in  the  nursery,  the  mode  of 
shortening  is  shown  by  figs.  38  and  39. 

A  few  experiments  only  are  needed 
to  convince  any  one  of  the  advantages 
of  thus  cutting  in  the  shoots.  In  1846, 
an  orchardist  on  the  Hudson,  carefully 
transplanted  180  apple  trees  into  good 
mellow  soil.  The  roots  had  been  cut 
rather  short  in  digging.  One-half  had 
their  tops  shortened  back,  so  as  to  leave 
only  one  bud  of  the  previous  season's 
wood ;  the  heads  of  the  other  half  were 
suffered  to  remain  untouched.  The  season 
Fig.  38.  Fig.  39.  proved  favorable.  Of  the  ninety  which 
had  their  heads  pruned,  only  two  died,  and  nearly  all  made 
fine  shoots,  many  being  eighteen  inches  long.  Of  the 
ninety  unpruned,  eight  died ;  most  of  them  made  but  little 
growth,  and  none  more  than  six  inches.  Both  the  first  and 


TRANSPLANTING.  71 

second  year,  the  deep  green  and  luxuriant  foliage  of  the 
pruned  trees  afforded  a  strong  contrast  with  the  paler  and 
more  feeble  appearance  of  the  other.*  A  similar  experi- 
ment was  made  with  78  peach  trees,  of  large  size,  three 
years'  growth  from  the  bud.  One-half  were  headed  back 
so  as  to  reduce  the  buds  one-half  ;  the  rest  were  unpruned. 
The  season  was  rather  dry,  and  twelve  of  the  39  unpruned 
trees  perished;  and  only  one  of  those  which  were  headed 
back.  The  unpruned,  which  survived,  lost  parts  or  the 
whole  of  the  upper  portions  of  their  branches ;  the  pruned, 
made  fine  bushy  heads  of  new  shoots.*  It  has  been  found 
useful  to  shorten  in  the  shoots  of  peach  trees  so  severely  as 
to  reduce  the  heads  to  only  one  quarter  of  the  original  number 
of  buds.  This  was  tried  with  great  success  the  past  season. 
Trees,  only  one  year's  growth  from  the  bud,  transplanted 
in  the  usual  manner  unpruned,  were  placed  side  by  side 
with  others  of  four  years'  growth,  and  with  trunks  an  inch 
and  a  half  in  diameter,  the  heads  being  pruned  to  one 
quarter  their  size.  The  growth  of  the  former  was  feeble; 
the  large  trees,  with  pruned  heads  grew  vigorously.  Again, 
trees  set  out  before  the  buds  had  opened,  and  without 
pruning,  presented  a  more  feeble  growth  than  others  re- 
moved when  the  leaves  were  an  inch  long,  with  a  copious 
shortening-in  of  the  branches. 

The  degree  to  which  this  shortening  should  be  carried, 
must  depend  much  on  climate.  In  the  cool  moist  atmos- 
phere of  England,  the  leaves  perspire  less,  and  a  larger 
number  may  remain  without  exhausting  the  supply  from 
the  roots.  In  this  country,  the  perspiration  is  more  rapid, 
and  fewer  leaves  can  be  fed,  until  new  roots  furnish 
increased  supplies. 

But  in  no  case  should  the  lopping  be  excessive ;  for  as 
the  reproduction  of  roots  depends  upon  the  action  of  the 
leaves,  a  disproportionately  small  number  of  the  latter, 
would  fail  to  produce  a  speedy  renewal  of  the  former. 

And  especially,  no  one  should  unnecessarily  mutilate  the 
roots,  with  the  hope  that  lopping  the  head  will  remedy  the 
evil;  for  it  rarely  happens,  that  with  the  most  careful 
digging,  more  than  one  half  the  entire  amount  of  roots  will 
be  secured,  which  would  in  that  case,  require  the  removal 

•  Hort.,  Vol.  II.,  p.  319. 

4 


72  TRANSPLANTING. 

of  at  least  half  the  head.  A  badly  mutilated  root  may  be 
saved  alive,  by  a  severe  lopping  of  the  shoots  ;  but  it  can- 
not possibly  succeed  so  well  as  a  tree  with  a  fine  large  mass 
of  uninjured  fibres. 

Trees  which  quickly  reproduce  new  shoots,  as  the 
peach,  may  be  more  closely  shortened  back  than  others 
having  a  less  reproductive  power,  as  the  apple.  The  cherry 
throws  out  a  new  growth  still  more  reluctantly,  and  hence 
more  care  is  needed  in  digging  up  the  roots  entire. 

A  very  mistaken  notion  prevails  with  many  who  purchase 
trees  for  orchards,  that  the  most  important  requisite  is  to 
obtain  large  straight  stems  and  handsome  heads,  while  the 
condition  of  the  roots  is  regarded  as  entirely  subordinate. 
It  is  far  preferable  that  the  limbs  be  mutilated  than  the 
roots  ;  for  though  the  tree  may  have  a  bad  appearance  when 
first  transplanted,  well  preserved  roots  will  soon  restore  the 
loss. 

1  Preparing  the  ground  and  manuring.  Ground  intended 
for  trees  must  be  secure  from  danger  of  being  flooded  in 
wet  seasons,  and  from  all  liability  of  becoming  water- 
soaked  beneath  the  surface.  If  not  naturally  dry  enough, 
it  must  be  thoroughly  underdrained. 

The  next  requisite,  and  it  is  one  of  the  greatest  impor- 
tance, is  to  deepen  and  enrich  the  soil  by  trenching.  In 
the  garden  this  is  done  with  the  spade  ;  but  in  the  open 
orchard,  it  is  cheaply  and  thoroughly  effected,  by  first 
loosening  the  earth  to  a  depth  of  at  least  twenty  inches 
with  a  subsoil  plow.  Next,  to  intermix  the  whole  loosened 
bed  of  soil  thoroughly  together,  it  is  trench-plowed.  It 
would  be  impossible  to  attain  this  depth  with  a  common 
plow,  without  previous  subsoiling ;  and  subsoiling  fails  to 
accomplish  a  proper  admixture  without  trenching.  Manure 
is  to  be  applied  in  sufficient  quantity  to  render  the  whole 
fertile  ;  the  amount  to  be  graduated  by  the  character  of  the 
ground.  Trenching  or  deepening  must  in  no  case  be 
omitted;  for  if  the  soil  is  exhausted,  if  it  is  poor,  if  liable 
to  suffer  from  drouth,  it  is  a  remedy  which  applies  in  all 
cases.  If  this  deepening  and  enriching  cultivation  can  be 
continued  for  a  year  or  two,  in  connexion  with  root  crops, 
before  planting,  the  ground  will  be  brought  to  the  finest 
condition. 


TRANSPLANTING.  73 

In  setting  out  large  orchards,  if  the  whole  field  cannot  be 
deepened,  a  strip  of  land  ten  feet  wide  extending  across 
the  orchard,  may  be  treated  in  the  same  way,  in  the  centre 
of  which  each  row  is  to  be  set ;  and  the  intermediate 
spaces,  constituting  two-thirds  or  more  of  the  whole,  may 
be  prepared  afterwards,  by  the  time  the  roots  have  passed 
the  boundaries  of  the  first. 

Now,  when  it  is  recollected  that  a  good  orchard  is  worth 
annually  a  hundred  dollars  per  acre,  and  that  this  thorough 
preparation  will  bring  trees  into  plentiful  bearing,  in  con- 
nexion with  good  subsequent  culture,  in  one  third  of  the 
time  required  where  trees  are  crowded  into  small  holes  in 
hard  ground,  it  must  be  perfectly  plain  to  every  one  that  the 
former  is  by  far  the  cheaper  treatment. 

Where,  from  any  unavoidable  cause,  trench-plowing  can- 
not be  accomplished,  the  holes  should  be  seven  or  eight  feet 
in  diameter,  and  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  deep.  The 
earth  should  be  mixed  with  a  liberal  allowance  of  well-rotted 
manure,  or  still  better  with  a  compost  made  and  worked 
over  some  weeks  previously,  consisting  of  two  or  three 
parts  of  muck  or  peat,  one  of  barn  manure,  and  a  fifth  part 
of  leached  ashes.  This  is  indeed  an  excellent  manure  for 
fruit  trees  in  all  cases  with  ordinary  soils.  If  the  subsoil 
is  sterile,  it  should  be  scattered  back  out  of  the  way. 

In  rare  cases,  where  rotted  manure  or  compost  is  not  at 
hand,  and  it  becomes  necessary  to  use  fresh  manure,  it 
must  be  thoroughly  incorporated  with  an  iron  rake  into  the 
soil,  and  this  mixture  not  placed  in  contact  with  the  roots 
but  at  such  a  distance  that  they  may  not  reach  it  till  after 
some  months  of  growth,  when  it  will  have  become  well 
combined  with  the  soil.  One  quarter  manure  will  be  an 
abundant  proportion  in  any  case. 

Preparing  the  roots.  Before  a  tree  is  set  in  the  earth, 
ail  the  bruised  or  wounded  parts,  where  cut  with  the  spade, 
should  be  pared  off  smoothly,  to  prevent  decay,  and  to 
enable  them  to  heal  over  by  granulations  during  the 
growth  of  the  tree.  Then  dip  them  in  a  bed  of  mud, 
which  will  coat  every  part  over  evenly,  and  leave  no  por- 
tion in  contact  with  air,  which  accidentally  might  not  be 
reached  by  the  earth  in  filling  the  hole.  The  bed  of  mud 


74  TRANSPLANTING. 

is  quickly  made  by  pouring  into  a  hole  a  pail  of  water,  and 
mixing  it  with  the  soil. 

Setting  the  tree.  It  should  not  be  set  deeper  than  it  stood 
before  removal.  Deep  planting  injures  the  tree,  and  when 
excessive,  may  cause  its  death.  Setting  it  upon  the  surface 
of  the  ground  without  any  hole,  and  placing  a  bed  of  fine 
earth  upon  the  roots  to  the  usual  depth,  is  preferable,  and  on 
shallow  or  unprepared  soils,  or  such  as  are  quite  clayey  and 
rather  wet,  has  been  quite  successful.  When  placed  in  the 
unfilled  hole,  if  it  is  found  to  be  too  deeply  sunk,  a  mound 
or  hillock  is  to  be  made  under  the  centre,  to  raise  it  suffi- 
ciently, and  the  roots  separated  and  extended  to  their  full 
length.  Fine  rich  mould  is  then  to  be  sprinkled  or  sifted 
over,  taking  care  to  fill  all  the  interstices,  and  using  the 
fingers  to  spread  out  all  the  fibres  during  the  operation.  The 
mellow  earth  should  rise  two  or  three  inches  above  the 
surrounding  surface,  to  allow  for  its  subsequent  settling. 

In  nearly  all  soils,  the  use  of  water  insetthng  the  earth  among 
the  roots  will  be  found  eminently  serviceable.  Dashing  in 
a  few  quarts  before  the  hole  is  quite  filled,  is  the  more  com- 
mon way  :  but  an  admirable  mode  is  to  settle  the  fine  earth 
as  it  is  constantly  sifted  in,  by  a  regular  shower  from  a 
watering  pot,  one  man  holding  the  tree,  a  second  filling  in 
the  earth,  and  the  third  applying  the  water.  By  this  pro- 
cess the  roots  are  not  disturbed  in  their  position,  and  every 
cavity  about  them  is  filled  in  the  most  perfect  manner.  The 
trees  will  be  found  to  maintain  their  position  better  than 
vvher  pulverised  earth  alone  is  used ;  for  although  it  may 
at  first  be  easily  moved  while  surrounded  by  the  half  liquid 
mass ;  in  a  few  hours  the  earth  around  it  will 
absorb  the  superabundant  moisture,  and  it  will 
become  as  firm  as  when  it  has  stood  for  weeks 
in  its  new  position. 

Stiffening  against  the  wind. — Newly  planted 


\ 


trees,  being  acted  on  as  levers  by  the  wind, 


often  press  aside  the  earth  about  their  stems, 
and  make  an  opening  down  to  the  roots,  which 
in  consequence  suffer  from  both  drouth  and 
disturbance.  There  are  two  ways  to  prevent 
•  this  disaster.  In  autumn  transplanting,  the 
Fig.  4u.  best  way  is  to  embank  a  mound  of  earth  about 


TRANSPLANTING.  75 

the  stems,  from  ten  to  eighteen  inches  high,  as  the  size  of 
the  tree  may  require,  fisr.  40.  This  mound  performs  the 
triple  ofice  of  stiffening  the  tree,  excluding  mice,  and  cover- 
ing the  roots  from  frost.  Only  a  few  seconds  are  required 
to  throw  up  one  of  these  conical  heaps  of  earth.  After  the 
tree  commences  growing,  the  mounds  are  removed.  Trees 
which  have  had  their  heads  lightened  by  the  shortening  pro- 
cess, already  described,  will  not  often  need  any  other  pro- 
tection. 

But  when  the  trees  are  large,  or  the  situation  is  windy, 
staking  becomes  necessary.  If  driven  before  the  roots  are 
covered,  they  may  be  erect,  as  in  fig.  41 ;  if  driven 
afterwards,  they  may  be  slanting;  and  in  both 
cases,  straw  bands  should  be  first  wrapped  once 
round,  to  prevent  the  trees  from  chafing 

Watering.  A  very  common  error  is  the  belief 
that  trees  need  frequent  watering  before  they  are 
in  leaf.  Deluging  the  roots,  while  in  a  partially 
dormant  state,  is  as  hurtful  to  trees  as  to  green- 
house plants,  and  a  continued  repetition  of  it  is  al- 
most  certain  death.  When  a  plant  is  in  a  state  of 
rapid  vegetation,  large  quantities  of  moisture  are 
drawn  up  by  the  leaves  and  thrown  off',  but  while  the  buds  are 
unexpanded,  the  amount  consumed  is  very  small.  Fruit  trees 
sometimes  remain  with  fresh  and  green  branches,  but  with 
unswollen  buds,  till  midsummer.  Instead  of  watering  such 
at  the  roots,  let  the  tops  be  wet  daily  at  evening,  with  a 
watering  pot,  and  it  will  in  nearly  all  cases  bring  them  into 
active  growth.  In  extreme  cases,  shading  the  stem  in  ad- 
dition to  the  watering,  will  be  found  beneficial. 

The  following  successful  treatment  in  transplanting,  in 
cases  that  appeared  almost  hopeless,  was  practiced  by  the 
late  S.  G.  Perkins,  of  Boston  : — 

"  Some  ten  years  ago,  I  imported  from  Paris  two  hun- 
dred and  ten  pear  trees  on  quince  stocks,  whose  roots,  on  their 
arrival,  I  found  to  be  entirely  black  and  dead.  I  shaved  off 
with  a  drawing  knife  all  the  roots  down  to  the  stump.  These 
I  planted  in  trenches,  tying  them  to  cross-bars  to  keep  them 
firm,  and  then  filled  up  the  trench  with  good  soil.  The 
heads  and  bodies  of  these  trees  were  regularly  washed  in 
dry  weather  until  they  began  to  sprout  which  most  of  them 


76  TRANSPLANTING. 

did  in  abundance  during  the  summer,  and  I  finally  saved  oul 
of  the  whole  number,  one  hundred  and  seventy-four,  which 
became  as  well  rooted  and  as  good  trees  as  any  in  mj 
garden. 

"  This  has  happened  more  than  once.  Three  or  foui 
years  ago,  I  imported  among  other  trees,  twenty  plum  trees, 
from  six  to  seven  feet  high,  the  heads  of  which  had  been 
budded  the  previous  -  year  in  France.  These  buds  had 
grown  from  nine  to  twelve  inches  long,  and  were  perfectly 
fresh  when  they  arrived ;  but  the  roots  on  examination  were 
found  entirely  dead.  Two  of  these  I  gave  away.  One  was 
good  for  nothing,  and  the  other  seventeen  I  planted  in  my 
garden,  having  cut  out  all  the  roots  that  had  fibers,  they  be- 
ing entirely  dead.  One  of  my  men  said  I  might  as  well 
plant  my  walking  stick.  Sixteen  of  these  are  now  flourish- 
ing trees,  well  grown  and  well  rooted,  new  roots  being  in- 
duced by  means  of  washing  the  upper  part  of  the  tree." 

Watering  the  roots,  even  of  fast  growing  trees,  will  rare- 
ly become  needful  if  the  soil  is  deep  and  is  kept  mellow 
But  whenever  it  is  performed,  the  surface  earth  should  be 
thrown  off,  the  water  poured  in,  and  the  earth  replaced. 
This  will  admit  the  water  at  once  to  the  roots,  and  leave  the 
surface  mellow ;  while  by  watering  the  top  of  the  ground, 
the  water  will  perhaps  fail  to  reach  the  dry  soil  below,  but 
only  serve  to  harden  and  bake  the  surface. 

Mulching,  or  covering  the  ground  about  the  tree  with 
straw,  coarse  barn-yard  litter,  or,  what  is  still  better,  leaves 
from  the  woods,  will  in  nearly  all  cases  obviate  the  necessity 
of  watering.  It  is  an  excellent  protection  against  mid-summer 
drouths,  which  so  often  prove  destructive  to  newly  trans- 
planted trees,  after  they  have  appeared  in  leaf.  A  corres- 
pondent of  the  Horticulturist,  mulched  50  trees  out  of  150, 
all  of  which  had  commenced  growth  alike.  Those  which 
were  mulched,  all  lived.  Of  the  hundred  not  mulched,  fif- 
teen perished.  The  weather  was  hot  and  dry  at  mid- 
summer. 

Trees  received  from  a  distance,  and  injured  by  drying, 
should  immediately  have  their  roots  coated  by  immersion  in 
a  bed  of  mud  ;  and  then  the  whole  stems  and  branches  buried 
in  moderately  moist  earth  for  a  few  days.  They  will  gradual- 
ly absorb  moisture,  through  the  pores  in  the  bark,  and  re- 


TRANSPLANTING.  77 

sume  their  freshness.  Plunging  into  water,  as  sometimes 
practiced,  is  more  liable  xto  induce  decay  by  water-soaking. 

Season  for  transplanting.  Much  discussion  has  arisen  on 
the  relative  advantages  of  autumn  and  spring  transplanting. 
When  the  work  is  well  done,  both  are  successful.  For 
apple  and  other  hardy  trees,  autumn  is  perhaps  the  best,  as 
the  soil  becomes  well  settled  about  the  roots,  and  the  trees 
commence  growing  without  interruption  in  spring.*  The 
more  tender  trees,  as  apricots  and  peaches,  removed  to 
a  colder  region,  may  be  in  more  danger,  especially  if  the 
roots  have  been  much  mutilated  and  the  setting  out  badly 
done.  A  neighbor  purchased  fifty  peach  trees  in  the 
autumn,  and  lost  half  of  them  the  following  severe  winter ; 
another  bought  fifty  the  next  spring,  and  .lost  only  one. 
Was  this  a  conclusive  proof  that  spring  planting  was  best  ? 
By  no  means  ;  for  in  the  former  case  they  were  set  out  in 
grass  land,  and  received  no  culture  ;  in  the  latter,  they  had 
the  best  care.  The  same  autumn  a  neighbor  saved  all  his 
peach  trees  by  good  management ;  while  the  same  spring 
another  lost  most  of  his  by  neglect.  We  may  hence  infer 
that  good  management  is  of  incomparably  more  importance 
than  the  season  of  the  year.t 

But  there  are  many  things  to  be  taken  into  account  in 
drawing  conclusions.  It  has  been  remarked  that  tender 
trees  taken  to  a  colder  climate  may  be  in  danger  of  winter 
frosts.  Good,  thrifty,  and  well  ripened  wood,  however, 
where  the  trees  have  grown  on  high,  dry,  firm  soil,  even 
from  a  warmer  region  of  country,  are  much  safer  than  trees 
of  succulent  growth  and  badly  ripened  wood,  from  a  colder. 
So  again,  trees  equally  hardy,  might  perish  when  set  out 
on  a  low,  sheltered  place,  or  on  a  wet  soil,  while  they  would 
endure  the  severest  rigors  of  our  winters  on  a  drier  and 
more  elevated  piece  of  ground. 

Again,  success  has  sometimes  attended  careless  trans- 
planting ;  while  on  the  other  hand,  the  greatest  care  has 

*  The  remark  of  Dr.  Lindley  that  early  fall  transplanting  is  decidedly  best,  by 
permitting  the  formation  of  small  roots  and  a  consequent  establishment  of  the  tree 
in  the  soil  before  winter,  though  applicable  to  the  moist  climate  and  long  mild 
autumns  of  England,  is  not  so  here  where  the  growth  while  it  lasts  is  more  rapid, 
its  cessation  more  sudden,  and  the  dryness  of  the  air  unfavorable  to  removal  before 
growth  ceases. 

t  Embanking  round  the  tree,  as  described  on  a  preceding  page,  is  an  ezceUent 
protection  from  frost  for  tender  trees  set  out  ia  amunui. 


78  TRANSPLANTING. 

resulted  in  loss.  In  the  first  instance,  the  trees  may  have 
been  in  the  best  condition,  the  roots  uninjured,  the  soil  just 
right,  and  every  attending  circumstance  favorable.  In  the 
other,  every  thing  may  have  been  done  right,  but  some  acci- 
dental disaster  proved  ruinous.  A  neighbor,  as  an  instance, 
set  out  several  peach  trees  in  autumn  in  the  best  manner  j 
but  his  soil  was  low,  and  became  soaked  with  water  in 
winter,  causing  their  death.  Removal  from  high  and 
exposed,  to  low  and  frosty  ground,  or  the  reverse,  may  often 
influence  the  result.  Even  a  wet  subsoil,  where  the  sur- 
face has  been  dry,  has  destroyed  tender  trees  in  winter,  as 
the  apricot,  without  removal. 

Again,  when  the  soil  is  a  heavy  clay,  and  holds  water 
like  a  tub,  tender  trees  are  in  great  danger  from  autumn 
transplanting,  unless  provision  is  made  for  draining  the 
holes ;  which  may  be  effected  by  running  a  deep  furrow 
from  one  hole  to  the  other,  along  the  line  of  trees,  and 
using  brush,  cornstalks,  or  straw,  as  a  temporary  under- 
drain  for  the  water  to  soak  away. 

As  a  general  rule,  the  proper  season  for  the  removal  of  trees 
is  at  any  period  between  the  cessation  of  growth  in  autumn, 
— usually  a  little  later  than  mid-autumn  in  the  northern 
states, — and  its  recommencement  in  spring.  The  earlier  in 
spring  the  better;  but  if  deferred  till  the  buds  are  much 
swollen,  the  roots  should  be  coated  immediately  with  mud, 
and  kept  moist  till  again  set  out.  Transplanting  may 
be  performed  in  winter,  whenever  the  ground  is  open, 
and  the  air  above  freezing ;  but  roots  which  are  frozen 
while  out  the  ground,  will  perish  unless  they  are  buried  be- 
fore thawing. 

When  it  becomes  necessary  to  keep  trees  through  winter 
without  setting,  as  often  occurs  where  they  are  received  from 
a  distance,  the  roots  may  be  placed  sloping  in  a  trench  on 
a  dry  spot  of  ground,  and  fine  earth  thoroughly  sprinkled  in 
among  them,  filling  up  all  interstices  ;  and  if  theyare  of  ten- 
der kinds,  one-half  of  the  stems  may  be  covered  with  earth. 
Trees  are  often  badly  kept  from  neglect  to  fill  up  the  cavi- 
ties, which  may  be  prevented  by  dashing  in  water,  as  in 
transplanting.*  If  received  late  in  autumn,  after  having 

*  Trees  packed  for  distant  conveyance,  should  always  have  the  roots  coated  with 
jnud;  'or  if  n  »pring,  it  will  tend  to  prevmt  their  dryi::pr.  as  warm  weather  approach- 
es; and  if  iu  autumn,  it  will  assist  the  more  gradual  and  safe  abstraction  of  uic  trust  if 


TRANSPLANTING.  79 

been  frozen,  the  roots  should  be  buried  as  speedily  as  pos- 
sible before  thawing  takes  place,  the  gradual  abstraction  of 
the  frost  by  the  soil  being  perfectly  safe,  in  the  same  way 
that  it  takes  place  every  spring  when  the  frozen  roots  of 
standing  trees  are  thawed  with  the  thawing  of  the  ground. 

The  size  for  transplanting,  must  vary  with  circumstances. 
Six  to  seven  feet  high  is  large  enough  under  ordinary  cir- 
cumstances, but  those  much  larger  may  be  successfully  re- 
moved if  they  have  been  previously  prepared  by  shortening 
the  long  roots  to  induce  the  emission  of  a  mass  of  smaller 
fibres  near  the  centre  or  stem.  This  is  done  one  year  pre- 
viou-ly,  by  running  a  spade  into  the  earth  in  a  circle  about 
the  foot  of  the  stem,  if  the  tree  yet  stands  in  the  nursery,  or 
by  cutting  a  circular  trench  around  the  tree  if  it  is  a  large 
standard  in  open  ground. 

Trees  not  over  four  or  five  feet  high  would  usually  suc- 
ceed best  with  the  usual  hasty  mode  of  digging,  as  a  proper 
balance  between  the  top  and  the  root  would  be  more  near- 
ly preserved,  the  danger  of  dying  would  be  lessened,  and 
the  vigor  of  growth  being  less  checked,  they  would  as  soon 
attain  a  bearing  state. 

On  a  review  of  the  essential  requisites  for  successful 
transplanting,  they  may  be  summed  up  briefly  as  follows : 

1.  A  previous  preparation  of  a  rich  deep  bed  of  mellow  earth 
to  receive  the  roots,  and  land  which  cannot  be  water-soaked. 

2.  Removing  the  tree  with  as  little  mutilation  of  the  roots 
as  practicable. 

3.  Paring  off  the  bruised  parts. 

4.  Shortening-in  the  head,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  to 
correspond  with  the  necessary  loss  of  roots. 

5.  Immersing  the  roots  in  mud. 

6.  Settling  the  earth  with  water. 

7.  Planting  no  deeper  than  before. 

8.  Staking  or  embanking  to  prevent  injury  by  the  wind, 

9.  Watering  the  stems  and  branches  only,  before  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  leaf. 

10.  Mulching,  where   danger  of  mid-summer  drouth  is 
feared. 

they  should  happen  to  be  frozen.  In  addition  to  this,  they  should  be  copiously  packed 
in  ii. imp  moss,  which  retains  moisture  a  longtime,  and  does  not  heat.  For  sea- 
voyages,  however,  the  moss  should  not  be  damp,  as  the  sea-  lir  will  preserve  the 
requisite  degree  of  humidity,  which  otherwise  would  be  excessive  and  injurious. 


4* 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL. 

THE  cultivator,  having  transplanted  his  trees  in  the  best 
manner,  and  secured  them  from  disaster  by  every  means 
which  skill  can  devise,  has  a  still  more  important  task  yet 
to  perform, — the  cultivation  of  the  soil. 

It  is  more  important,  because  it  is  not  commenced  and 
finished  in  a  day,  but  needs  constant  attention  for  years ; 
and  in  ordinary  practice  it  receives  greater  neglect.  For, 
of  the  thousands  of  trees  which  are  every  year  transplanted 
in  all  parts  of  the  country,  the  assertion  may  be  made  with 
safety,  that  more  are  lost  from  neglected  after-culture^  than 
from  all  other  causes  put  together. 

To  purchase  and  set  out  fine  fruit  trees  of  rare  sorts,  in 
a  baked  and  hardened  soil,  whose  entire  moisture  and 
fertility  are  consumed  by  a  crop  of  weeds  and  grass,  might 
very  aptly  and  without  exaggeration  be  compared  to  the 
purchase  of  a  fine  horse,  and  then  perpetually  to  exclude 
him  from  food  and  drink. 

Here  is  the  great  and  fatal  error  with  a  large  portion  who 
attempt  the  cultivation  of  fruit.  We  may  not  incorrectly 
divide  these  into  three  classes : 

1.  Those  who,  having  procured  their  trees,  destroy  them 
at  once  by  drying  them  in  the  sun  or  wind,  or  freezing  them 
in  the  cold,  before  setting  out. 

2.  Those  who  destroy  them  by  crowding  the  roots  into 
small  holes  cut  out  of  a  sod,  where,  if  they  live,  they  main- 
tain a  stunted  and  feeble  existence,  like  the  half-starved 
cattle  of  a  neglectful  farmer. 

3.  Others  set  them    out   well,  and  then  consider  their 
labors  as  having  closed.     They  are  subsequently  suffered  to 
become  choked  with  grass,  weeds,  or  crops  of  grain — some 
live  and  linger,  others  die  under  the  hardship ;  or  else  are 
demolished  by  cattle,  or  broken  down  by  the  team  which 
cultivates  the  ground. 


CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL.  81 

A  neighbor  purchased  fifty  very  fine  peach  trees,  hand- 
somely rooted,  and  of  vigorous  growth ;  they  were  well  set 
out  in  a  field  containing  a  fine  crop  of  heavy  clover  and 
timothy.  The  following  summer  was  dry ;  and  a  luxuriant 
growth  of  meadow  grass  nearly  obscured  them  from  sight. 
What  was  the  consequence  ?  Their  fate  was  precisely  what 
every  farmer  would  have  predicted  of  as  many  hills  of  corn, 
planted  and  overgrown  in  a  thick  meadow, — very  few  sur- 
vived the  first  year. 

Another  person  bought  sixty,  of  worse  quality  in  growth ; 
he  set  them  out  well,  and  kept  them  well  hoed  with  po- 
tatoes. He  lost  but  one  tree  ;  and  continuing  to  cultivate 
them  with  low  hoed  crops,  they  now  afford  yearly  loads  of 
rich  peaches. 

Another  neighbor  procured  fifty  good  trees.  Passing  his 
house  the  same  year  late  in  summer,  he  remarked,  "  I 
thought  a  crop  of  wheat  one  of  the  best  for  young  peach 
trees  ?" — "  Just  the  reverse  ;  it  is  one  of  the  worst — all 
sown  crops  are  injurious ;  all  low  hoed  ones  beneficial." — 
14  Well,"  answered  he,  "  I  have  found  it  so — my  fifty  trees 
all  lived  it  is  true,  but  I  have  lost  one  year  of  their  growth 
by  my  want  of  knowledge."  On  examination,  they  were 
found  in  excellent  soil,  and  had  been  well  set  out.  All  the 
rows  were  in  a  field  of  wheat,  except  one  which  was  hoed 
with  a  crop  ofpotatoes.  The  result  was  striking.  Of  the 
trees  that  stood  among  the  wheat,  some  had  made  shoots 
the  same  year,  an  inch  \long,  some  two  inches,  and  a  very 
few,  five  or  six  inches.  While  on  the  other  hand,  on 
nearly  every  one  that  grew  with  the  potatoes,  new  shoots 
a  foot  and  a  half  could  be  found,  and  on  some  the  growth 
had  been  two  feet,  two  and  a  half,  and  three  feet.  Other 
cases  have  furnished  nearly  as  decisive  contrasts. 

An  eminent  cultivator  of  fine  fruit,  whose  trees  have 
borne  for  many  years,  remarks:  "My  garden  would  be 
worth  twice  as  much  as  it  is,  if  the  trees  had  been  planted 
in  thick  rows  two  rods  apart  so  that  I  could  have  cultivated 
them  with  the  plow.  Unless  fruit  grows  on  thrifty  trees, 
we  csn  form  no  proper  judgment  of  it.  Some  that  we  have 
cultivated  this  season,  after  a  long  neglect,  seem  like  new 
kinds,  and  the  favor  is  in  proportion  to  the  size." 

The  thick  rowtj  here  alluded  to,  may  be  composed  of 


CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL. 


trees  from  six  to  twelve  feet  apart  in  the  rows.  This  mode 
admits  of  deep  and  thorough  cultivation,  and  the  team 
can  pass  freely  in  one  direction,  until  close  to  the  ro\v, 
where  the  soil  need  not  be  turned  up  so  deeply,  or  so  as  to 


******** 


****** 

***** 
4(.  *  *  *  *  * 

***** 
*  *  *  *  iff  * 


Fig.  42.  Fig.  43. 

injure  the  roots.  Fig.  43  exhibits  this  mode  of  planting  ; 
and  fig.  43  another  mode,  where  the  trees  are  in  hexagons, 
or  in  the  corners  of  equilateral  triangles,  and  are  thus  more 
equally  distributed  over  the  ground  than  by  any  other  ar- 
rangement. They  may  thus  be  cultivated  in  three  direc- 
tions. For  landscape  effect,  this  is  undoubtedly  better  than 
by  any  other  regular  order. 

Trees  are  frequently  mutilated  in  cultivating  the  ground 
with  a  team;*  to  obviate  this  difficulty,  arrange  the  horses 
when  they  work  near  the  line  of  trees,  one  before  the  other, 
ad  tandem.  Let  a  boy  ride  the  forward  une,  use  long  tra- 
ces and  a  short  whipple-tree,  and  place  the  whole  in  the 
charge  of  a  careful  man  who  knows  that  one  tree  is  worth 
more  than  fifty  hills  of  corn  or  potatoes,  and  no  danger  need 
be  feared.  In  the  absence  of  this  arrangement,  oxen  will  be 
safer  than  horses. 

When  it  becomes  necessary 
for  trees  to  stand  in  grass,  as  in 
some  instances  near  dwellings, 
a  circle  of  several  feet  round 
each  tree  must  be  kept  mellow 
by  the  spade,  fig.  44.  The  work 
should  be  shallow  near  the  tree 
to  prevent  injury  to  the  roots, 
and  gradually  deepen  as  it  re- 
cedes. This  operation  when  re- 
peated several  times  during  sum- 
mer, has  been  known  to  increase 
But  a  not  less  important  result  is  the 


Fig  44. 

the  growth  five  fold. 


*  When  hark  is  accidentally  rubber!  off,  if  ine-rlv  sumim-r,  the  fresh  surface 
should  he  left  untouched,  «nd  a  new  bark  will  soon  form  a:.d  cover  the ;  surface.  Hub- 
bing  tlie  wound  with  eurth,  spuib  this  surface,  and  leave*  a  bad  wound. 


CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL. 


83 


exclusion  of  the  mice,  for  which  this  is  by  far  the  most  ef- 
fectual method,  if  the  surface  is  raised  nine  or  ten  inches 
round  the  tree  just  before  winter,  fig.  45. 
The  grass  no  longer  affords  these  animals 
any  hiding  place,  and  when  they  reach  the 
bank  of  fresh  earth,  they  are  immediately 
diverted  from  their  course,  and  never  attack 
the  stem. 

Such  a  circle  of  dug  earth  facilitates  the 
application  of  manure,  which  may  be  spread 
about  the  tree  late    in  autumn,  when    the 
soluble  portions  are  carried  down  among  the 
Fig.  45.         roots  by  the  autumn  and  spring  rains,  after 
which  it  is  turned  beneath  the  soil  with  the  spade.     Unless, 
however,  this  circle  is  of  large  size,   it  can  afford  but  very 
partial  benefit.     The  size  should  increase  as  the  tree  ad- 
vances in  growth.     In  very  small  trees,    most  of  the  roots 
are  within  a  foot  or  two  of  the   stem,   but  their  circumfe- 
rence forms  an  annually  increasing  circle.     Hence  the  fre- 
quent practice  of  applying  manure,  or  digging  the  ground 
losely  about  the  base,  as   exhibited    in  the  annexed  fig- 
ure, (46,)  is  com- 
paratively     use- 
less.   Hence,  too, 
the    practice     of 
plowing     a    few 
furrows    only  on 
each  side  of  a  row 
of  large  trees  in 
an     orchard,     is 
greatly  inferior  to 
the  cultivation  of 
the    whole     sur- 
face. 

Among  the  crops 
which  are  best 
suited  to  young 
trees,  are  pota- 

ig.  46.  toes,  ruta  bagas, 

beets,  carrots,  beans,  and  all  low  hoed  crops.     Indian  corn, 
though  a  hoed  crop,  is  of  too  tall  a  growth,  shading  young 


84  CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL. 

trees  too  much  by  its  formidable  stalks.  All  sown  crops  are 
to  be  avoided,  and  grass  is  still  worse.  Meadows  are  ruin- 
ous. An  acquaintance  who  purchased  a  hundred  peach 
trees  and  placed  them  in  meadow  land,  lost  most  of  them 
by  the  overgrowth  of  the  grass ;  and  the  following  winter, 
the  mice,  who  avoid  clean  culture,  destroyed  the  remainder. 

Every  one  was  lost.  A  clean,  mellow,  cultivated  piece 
of  ground,  kept  so  a  few  years,  might  have  saved  the  whole 
of  them,  and  brought  them  into  bearing. 

A  chief  reason  of  the  fatal  effects  of  sown  crops,  is  the 
impossibility  of  mellowing  the  ground  by  repeated  culti- 
vation. For  this  reason,  a  low  crop  of  peas  has  been  found 
much  worse  than  a  heavy  growth  of  Indian  corn.  A  large 
peach  orchard  was  sown  with  peas,  and  bordered  on  one 
side  with  corn,  in  which  one  row  of  the  peach  trees  stood. 
Such  was  the  benefit  derived  by  them  from  the  hoeing 
given  to  the  corn,  that  the  single  row  was  most  con- 
spicuously visible  by  the  deeper  green  of  its  foliage,  at  the 
distance  of  half  a  mile. 

Low  hoed  crops  have  been  recommended.  But  the  more 
frequently  the  plow  or  cultivator  passes  among  them,  the 
greater  will  be  the  benefit  to  the  tree.  A  friend,  who  well 
understands  thorough  cultivation,  found  that  his  young  and 
newly  planted  standards  which  stood  among  the  small 
seedling  trees  of  his  nursery,  and  which  received  the 
benefit  of  constant  and  continued  working  till  autumn, 
made  twice  the  growth  of  those  in  a  field  of  beets,  and 
which  was  kept  well  hoed  only  through  the  early  part  of 
the  season,  or  till  the  crop  covered  the  ground.  Some  of  the 
former  made  shoots  the  first  year  four  feet  in  length.  The 
best  peach  orchard  for  market  crops  in  western  New  York, 
is  kept  mellow  by  deep  and  thorough  tillage  without  any 
other  crop,  and  the  improved  quality  and  amount  of  the 
fruit  is  found  of  greater  consequence  than  any  other  pro- 
duct of  the  land.  The  same  course  is  pursued  with  the 
best  of  the  great  peach  orchards  which  supply  the  city  of 
Philadelphia. 

A  very  mistaken  policy  is  the  selection  of  uneven  or 
stony  ground  for  orchards,  which  cannot  be  cultivated  or 
occupied  with  any  thing  else.  The  truth  should  be  unal- 
terably fixed  on  every  farmer's  mind,  that  the  orchard 


CULTIVATION    OF    THE    SOIL. 


85 


should  have  the  best  piece  of  land  on  the  farm,  so  long  as 
clean,  thrifty  trees,  loaded  with  fair,  large,  and  high- 
flivored  fruit,  are  to  be  preferred  to  light  crops  of  what  is 
half  grown  and  distorted,  with  deficient  flavor;  with  the 
acidi'ional  difference  that  the  former  may  be  brought  into 
full  bearing  in  one-third  of  the  time  required  for  the  latter. 

Note.  In  connexion  with  the  cultivation  of  the  soil,  the 
restoration  of  trees  of  feeble  growth  will  be  much  hastened, 
if  the  trunk  and  principal  branches  are  scrubbed  several 
times  in  a  season,  with  a  brush  dipped  in  soap-suds,  first 
scraping  the  bark,  should  it  be  rough  or  mossy. 


CHAPTER  IX 


PRUNING. 


PRUNING  has  two  objects  ;  one,  to  promote  vigorous  growth 
in  older  trees,  and  to  lessen  the  number  of  branches,  where 
they  become  so  thick  as  to  interfere  with  each  other's  full 
development,  and  retard  or  lessen  the  perfect  ripening  of 
fruit.  This  occurs  with  large  apple  trees,  which  have 
grown  without  care  till  the  thick  mass  of  branches  and 
leaves  present  an  almost  impenetrable  shade.  The  other 
object,  is  to  lessen  the  luxuriant  growth  of  young  trees 
growing  in  rich  soil,  and  to  prevent  the  too  rapid  formation 
of  the  wood  and  leaves  at  the  expense  of  the  production  of 
fruit ; — the  most  familiar  instance  of  which  occurs  in  the 
summer  pruning  of  hardy  grapes,  by  pinching  off  the  ends 
of  the  young  shoots. 

I.  Fruits  are  acid  in  cold  summers,  and  comparatively 
destitute  of  flavor.  Forced  fruit,  grown  in  winter  when 
there  is  little  light,  cannot  compare  in  quality  with  that 
ripened  under  the  full  blaze  of  a  summer's  sun ;  and 
melons,  grown  in  frames  covered  with  mats,  possess  none 
of  the  luscious  flavor  of  those  cultivated  in  the  open  air. 
Hence  the  advantage  of  a  free  admission  of  light  and  air 
among  the  branches  of  fruit  trees,  instead  of  allowing  them 
to  be  covered  with  a  thick  shade  of  leaves. 

The  utility  of  sun-light  is  shown  by  the  difference  between 
specimens  of  fruit  on  the  same  tree  fully  exposed  to  the 
solar  rays,  and  in  thick  shade.  Even  the  exposed  side  of 
the  same  apple  is  often  found  decidedly  the  highest-flavored. 
The  rich  acid  of  the  Esopus  Spitzenburgh,  and  the  sugary 
sweetness  of  the  Tallman  Sweeting  are  more  strikingly 
observable  under  the  deep  red  skin  of  the  one,  <.md  the 
brown  sunny  cheek  of  the  other. 

There  is,  however,  more  judgment  needed  in  piuning 
large  trees,  than  perhaps  any  other  operation  in  their 


PRUNING.  87 

management.  It  is  next  to  impossible  to  give  particular 
rules,  as  circumstances  vary  so  much  that  no  two  trees  are 
to  be  treated  precisely  alike.  But,  keeping  steadily  the 
objects  of  pruning  in  view, — the  admission  of  light,  the  re- 
moval of  crooked  limbs,  and  the  preservation  of  a  handsome, 
evenly  distributed  top, — the  careful  operator  can  hardly  do 
amiss. 

The  best  practice,  undoubtedly,  is  trimming  moderately 
every  year  or  two,  as  the  trees  may  need  it,  which  obviates 
the  necessity  of  cutting  away  much  at  a  time,  or  making 
large  wounds  by  sawing  off  heavy  branches. 

In  ordinary  practice,  it  is  carried  to  a  much  greater  ex- 
tent than  the  health  of  the  tree,  or  the  necessity  of  the  case 
requires.  The  safer  error  of  the  two,  is  trimming  too  little. 
Small  portions,  frequently  pruned  off,  are  the  utmost  that  are 
needed. 

If  judicious  pruning  is  commenced  early,  and  the  growth 
of  crooked  or  improperly  crowded  branches  prevented  by  a 
timely  removal  of  superabundant  shoots,  very  little  subse- 
quent lopping  will  be  necessary.  Indeed,  so  much  may  be 
accomplished  by  early  care,  that  some  skilful  cultivators 
have  found  it  entirely  needless  to  possess  such  a  tool  as  a 
pruning-knife  or  pruning-saw,  accomplishing  all  they  desire 
by  merely  rubbing  off  the  fresh  shoots  at  the  outset.  The 
cutting  off  of  large  limbs  should  only  be  resorted  to  in 
cases  of  absolute  necessity,  or  where  trees  have  been  for 
a  long  time  neglected  till  they  have  become  an  impenetra- 
ble mass  of  brush. 

In -pruning  standard  trees,  it  should  be  observed,  that  the 
older  they  become,  the  more  caution  is  requisite  to  effect  a 
gradual  and  not  a  sudden  reduction.  With  young  trees, 
the  case  is  quite  different,  where  free  trimming  may  be  un- 
hesitatingly adopted,  particularly  with  such  kinds  as  the 
peach,  which  quickly  reproduce  new  branches.  A  familiar 
instance  of  the  safety  of  pruning  heavily  quite  young  trees, 
occurs  in  the  heading  down  of  stocks  to  the  inserted  eye, 
after  the  operation  of  budding. 

In  heading  large  apple  and  pear  trees,  and  especially  the 
latter,  for  the  purpose  of  regrafling  them,  it  is  quite  neces- 
sary that  it  be  done  gradually,  and  in  successive  years.  For, 


88  PRUNING. 

if  too  many  boughs  are  lopped  at  a  time,  a  great  number 
of  young  shoots  will  be  emitted,  which  beingof  a  tender  growth 
are  often  eminently  liable,  if  the  tree  be  the  pear,  to  the 
frost-blight.  The  renewing  should  commence  at  the  top, 
otherwise  the  tree  will  be  thrown  up  to  too  great  a  height, 
and  should  proceed  downwards,  till  in  successive  years,  the 
whole  work  is  completed. 

Pruning,  for  the  purpose  of  letting  in  light  on  the  leaves 
and  growing  fruit,  is  more  essential  in  a  high  northern  lati- 
tude than  further  south.  It  is  found  of  more  utility  in  New 
England  than  in  Ohio,  and  still  more  essential  in  England, 
where  many  fruits,  to  be  perfectly  ripened,  need  the  full  ex- 
posure of  wall  training,  and  the  reflection  of  wall  heat. 

The  priming  of  the  peach  by  shortening-in,  described  on 
a  future  page,  is  totally  different  from  that  of  the  apple  and 
pear,  and  must  be  performed  with  an  unsparing  hand. 

The  best  mode  to  prune  young  trees  in  the  nursery,  is  to 
cut  off  all  the  annual  shoots  in  winter,  close  to  the  main 
stem.  This  gives  the  whole  strength  to  the  stem,  and  pre- 
vents large  stiff  branches,  so  discordant  with  a  handsome, 
clean  tree.  The  side  shoots  which  are  thrown  out,  suffi- 
ciently stiffen  the  tree,  and  if  the  ends  of  these  shoots  are 
shortened  in  summer,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  varying 
with  the  degree  of  stoutness  or  "stockiness"  desired,  it  will 
throw  all  the  growth  into  the  main  stem.  Keeping  the  tree 
trimmed  closely  in  summer,  makes  it  too  slender. 

Season  for  pruning.  Thinning  out  the  heads  of  old  trees, 
or  heading  back  for  grafting,  may  be  performed  in  autumn 
or  winter;  and  on  younger  trees,  just  before  midsummer, 
when,  the  tree  being  in  a  growing  state,  the  operator  can 
judge  better  of  the  shape  the  head  is  assuming,  and  act  ac- 
cordingly ;  and  the  wounds  are  soon  healed  by  the  new 
wood.  Peach  trees  may  be  shortened  back  during  winter, 
or  if  the  climate  is  cold,  early  in  spring. 

A  cheap  application  to  the  wounds  in  pruning ;  to  shut  out 
air  and  water,  and  prevent  cracking  and  subsequent  decay, 
is  a  mixture  of  tar  and  brick-dust.  But  a  much  better  one 
is  made  by  dissolving  gum  shellac  in  alcohol,  so  that  it 
shall  be  of  the  consistence  of  paint.  It  is  applied  with  great 
ease  and  rapidity,  adheres  firmly,  keeps  out  the  air,  and 


PRUNINCK  89 

not  being  a  heavy  application,  but  only  a  thin  coating,  it 
offers  no  impediment  to  the  forming-lip  of  the  new  growth 
as  it  closes  over  the  wound.  A  bottle  of  this  composition 
at  all  times  at  hand,  would  be  found  a  great  convenience. 
A  shilling's  worth  of  gum  shellac  dissolved  in  a  quart  of  al- 
cohol, is  all  that  is  necessary,  and  is  immediately  ready 
for  use.  If  too  thick,  it  is  at  once  rendered  more  liquid  by 
the  addition  of  alcohol,  and  vice  versa.  The  most  convenient 
way  to  use  it,  so  that  it  may  be  instantly  ready  at  all  times, 
is  to  fit  into  the  cork  of  a  large-mouthed  bottle,  a  brush  of 
convenient  size,  the  cork  thus  forming  a  sort  of  handle  to 
the  brush,  which  remains  within  the  bottle  when  not  in  use. 

II.    PRUNING    TO    PROMOTE    FRTJITFULNESS. 

The  principles  of  this  mode  of  pruning  will  perhaps  be 
best  understood  by  a  detail  of  the  operation : 

In  the  early  part  of  summer,  or  when  the  shoots  have 
grown  about  one  foot,  cut  off  about  one  inch  from  their  grow- 
ing points  ;  the  sap,  in  consequence,  no  longer  expends  itself 
to  increase  their  length  in  the  formation  of  useless  wood 
but  is  directed  to  the  production  of  fruit.  -  Cutting  back  to 
within  two  or  three  buds  of  the  base,  as  often  done,  is  ob- 
jectionable, as  not  enough  leaves  are  left  for  the  elaboration 
of  sap,  and  to  support  the  healthy  functions  of  the  tree ; 
and  this  sudden  diminution,  induces  the  remaining  buds  to 
make  an  effort  to  replace  them  by  a  second  growth  of  leaves. 

In  two  or  three  weeks,  give  the  trees  a  second  examina- 
tion, and  where  shoots  are  too  crowded,  thin  them  out  by 
cutting  back  so  as  to  leave  two  or  three  buds  at  the  base  of 
each.  Again,  near  the  close  of  summer,  or  early  in  autumn, 
when  the  fruit  requires  more  sun-light,  and  when  there  will 
be  no  danger  of  the  remaining  buds  being  stimulated  .to 
growth,  and  when  the  leaves  have  nearly  completed  their 
office,  cut  all  the  shoots  back  to  two  or  three  good  buds.  By 
this  mode,  no  half-ripened  shoots,  of  mid-summer  growth,will 
be  produced,  but  all  will  be  strong,  well  matured,  and 
vigorous. 

The  skilful  operator  will,  however,  avoid  the  extreme  of 
too  much  denuding  the  tree  of  leaves ;  for  they  are  at  all 
times  indispensable  to  the  ripening  as  well  as  the  growth  of 
the  fruit.  An  analogous  case  may  serve  to  illn**"***  tir'» 


90 


PRUNING. 


effect,  in  the  practice  of  lopping  early  in  autumn  the  stalks 
of  Indian  corn  immediately  above  the  ear;  which,  by  care- 
ful measurement,  has  been  found  materially  to  lessen  the 
crop. 

A  common  method  in  France,  is  to  allow  all  shoots  to 
start,  and  pinch  off  their  ends  when  they  are  only  a  few 
inches  in  length.  In  this  way  they  all  subsequently  become 
fruit  bearers,  without  crowding  the  tree  with  a  confused 
mass  of  branches,  like  those  of  a  sheared  hedge.  This 
shortening  of  the  young  green  shoots,  is  found  much  supe- 
rior to  the  practice  of  leaving  them  till  winter.  It  should  be 
commenced  at  the  top  first,  and  so  proceed  downwards  as 
the  season  advances,  for  the  lower  shoots  always  have  a  ten- 
dency to  be  the  weakest.  A  second  and  further  shortening 
of  the  upper  shoots,  is  often  needed  to  preserve  a  proper 
balance  between  the  upper  and  lower  parts. 

Pyra7nidal  Trees.  A  neat  and  convenient  mode  of  plant- 
ing the  sides  of  large  walks,  on  cultivated  ground,  prefer- 
able in  most  cases  to  espaliers,  because  less  adverse  to  a 
natural  growth,  and  hence  better  adapted  to  the  warm  sum- 
mers of  America,  where  highly  artificial  modes  of  training 
are  less  needed,  is  by  the  use  of  trees  trained  as  pyramids. 

For  this  purpose  the  trees  are 
usually  grafted  on  dwarf  stocks, 
and  are  placed  at  distances  of  six 
to  twelve  feet  asunder.  The  first 
year's  growth  from  the  graft  or 
bud,  is  headed  down  to  within 
about  six  good  buds  of  its  base ; 
these  buds,  as  a  consequence, 
grow  vigorously.  About  mid- 
summer, their  growth,  with  the 
exception  of  the  upper  one,  is 
stopped  by  cutting  off  their  tips, 
or  by  bending  and  tying  them 
downwards.  The  upper  or  lead- 
ing shoot,  then  grows  with  great 
vigor,  and  soon  needs  stop- 
ping again,  to  induce  the  emis- 
sion of  a  second  tier  of  shoots  about  one  foot  higher,  which 
are  treated  as  the  former.  This  process  is  repeated  for  suc- 


Fig.  46.— Pyramidal  Tree. 


PRUNING.  91 

cessive  years,  till  the  tree  has  attained  its  desired  height. 
The  side  branches  will  throw  out  shoots,  which  must  be  cut 
back,  as  already  described  for  summer  pruning,  so  as  to  form 
a  handsome  pyramidal  tree. 

This  mode  of  pruning  is  usually  adopted  for  dwarf  pear 
trees  on  quince  stocks,  but  it  need  not  necessarily  be  confined 
to  these ;  applied  to  the  pear  on  pear  stocks,  and  other  fruit 
trees,  it  will  promote  in  a  high  degree  its  early  frui; fulness. 

These  rules  for  summer  pruning,  will  be  found  of  much 
utility  if  applied  to  the  operation,  necessarily  more  common 
in  this  country,  of  pruning  hardy  grapes. 

It  will  be  distinctly  observed,  that  these  remarks  do  not 
apply  to  standard  trees,  but  only  to  those  artificially  trained 
in  the  form  of  espaliers  or  pyramids.  But  it  might  be  adopt- 
ed to  a  certain  extent  for  standards,  to  give  them  a  better 
head,  and  bring  them  into  earlier  bearing.* 

*  The  particular  modes  in  which  pruning  and  training  are  applied  to  various  kinds 
of  fruit  trees,  will  be  found  described  on  the  pages  which  separately  treat  of  those 
fruits. 


CHAPTER 


CAUSES    OF    FRUITFUL^  £SS. 


WHATEVER  tends  to  a  rapid  circulation  of  the  sap,  and  to 
increase  the  growth  of  a  tree,  causes  also  the  formation  of 
leaf  buds  instead  of  flower  buds.  On  the  contrary,  what- 
ever tends  to  an  accumulation  of  sap  in  any  part,  or  to  re- 
tard its  circulation,  induces  the  production  of  flower  instead 
of  leaf  buds.  When  trees  are  young,  and  the  bark  and 
wood  soft  and  flexible,  the  sap  flows  freely  and  without 
check ;  hence,  leaf  buds  and  the  vigorous  growth  of  branches 
are  the  result ;  but  as  trees  become  older,  and  the  bark  and 
other  parts  more  rigid,  they  offer  more  resistance  to  a  free 
circulation,  and  hence  the  production  of  flowers  and  the  conse- 
quent fruitfulness  of  the  tree. 

This  principle  enables  us  to  apply  artificial  means  at 
pleasure  for  the  promotion  of  the  same  object.  When  trees 
are  young  and  small,  a  rapid  growth  and  the  attainment  of 
size  is  desirable,  which  is  given  by  enriching  the  ground, 
and  by  thorough  and  constant  cultivation.  A  neglect  of 
these  operations,  would  check  free  growth  and  circulation, 
and  cause  the  tree  to  bear.  This  would,  however,  be  at 
the  expense  of  the  future  vigor  and  size  of  the  tree,  and  of 
the  size  and  excellence  of  the  fruit.  Indeed,  it  often  hap- 
pens, that  with  the  best  treatment,  trees  will  bear  as  young 
as  their  ultimate  success  requires. 

There  are,  however,  some  varieties,  which,  in  rich  soil, 
continue  growing  a  long  time  in  an  unproductive  state. 
Fruitfulness  is  caused  in  various  ways.  1,  By  neglecting 
cultivation,  or  suffering  grass  to  grow  under  them,  which 
diminishes  their  growth.  2.  Pruning  the  roots  beneath  the 
surface,  by  cutting  off  a  part  of  the  larger  ones,  causing  the 
same  result.  3.  Ringing  the  branches,  or  removing  a  small 
ring  of  bark  round  them,  which  prevents  the  fluids  from 


CAUSES    OF    FRUITFULNESS.  93 

flowing  back  or  downwards,  and  consequently  induces  their 
accumulation,  to  the  formation  of  flower  buds.  4.  Bending 
the  branches  downwards,  causing  a  similar  accumulation  with 
a  like  result.  5.  Grafting  on  dissimilar  stocks,  which  pre- 
vents a  free  flow  of  sap  and  juices  at  the  point  of  junction. 

1.  Suffering  grass  to  grow  among  trees,  though  benefi- 
cial in  some  very  rare  instances,  is  not  on  the  whole  advi- 
sable. The  loss  in  the  quality  of  the  fruit  is  too  great,  and 
is  not  balanced  by  the  advantages.  The  complaint  of  un- 
fruitfulness  has  been  frequently  applied  to  the  pear ;  but  a 
selection  of  those  sorts  which  bear  while  yet  very  young, 
entirely  obviates  the  difficulty. 

2.  Pruning  the  roots. — This  has  been  tried  to  a  very  limited 
extent  only.  Its  utility  may  therefore  be  doubted  under  or- 
dinary circumstances,  for  long  continued  practice.  For 
such  varieties,  however,  as  incline  to  unproductiveness,  and 
in  the  deep  and  highly  manured  soils  of  the  most  fertile  gar- 
dens, it  has  proved  eminently  successful.  Its  tendency  is 
to  render  trees  more  dwarfish,  and  for  this  reason  it  may  be 
used  to  advantage  upon  such  varieties  of  the  pear  as  cannot 
be  worked  upon  the  quince,  where  the  object  is  to  produce 
early  fruitfulness  in  connection  with  diminutive  growth.  It 
should  be  attempted,  however,  in  no  case,  except  in  con- 
nexion with  a  deep,  rich  soil,  and  with  the  best  cultivation. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  it  is  better  suited  to  a  northern, 
moist  climate,  such  as  that  of  England,  than  to  the  hotter 
and  drier  portions  of  the  United  States.  It  is  usually  per- 
formed with  a  spade,  ground  sharp,  and  thrust  down  through 
the  soil  at  a  suitable  distance  from  the  tree. 

3.  Ringing  the  branches  is  effected  by  taking  out  a  narrow 
ring  of  bark,  extending  round  the  branch.  By  obstructing 
the  downward  descent  of  the  juices,  and  by  their  accu- 
mulation above  the  ring,  it  not  only  causes  fruitfulness,  but 
frequently  alters  the  appearance  and  quality  of  the  fruit. 
In  some  cases,  it  has  doubled  the  size  ;  in  others  it  has 
brightened  the  colors.  In  the  Court  Pendu  apple,  the  colors 
are  changed  from  green  and  dull  red,  to  brilliant  yellow  and 
scarlet.  But  Lindley  says,  "  If  performed  extensively  upon 
a  tree,  it  is  apt,  if  not  to  kill  it,  to  render  it  incurably  un- 
healthy ;  for  if  the  rings  are  not  sufficiently  wide  to  cut  off 
all  communication  between  the  upper  and  lower  lips  of  the 


94  CAUSES    OF   FRUITFULNESS. 

wound,  they  produce  little  effect,  and  if  they  are  they  are 
difficult  to  heal.  For  these  reasons,  the  operation  is  but 
little  employed."* 

4.  Binding  the  branches  downwards,  by  changing   their 
natural  position,   as   well  as  causing  a  partial  obstruction 
where  bent,  promotes  their  fruitfulness. 

In  all  these  modes,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the 
desired  result  will  not  be  produced  at  once,  as  the  first  year 
is  occupied  in  the  formation  of  flower  buds  ;  and  the  next 
in  their  growth  into  fruit.  ThJU  delay,  however,  will  not 
take  place,  where  the  difficulty  consists  merely  in  the  fruit 
not  setting,  the  buds  being  already  formed. 

5.  The  influence  of  the  sto^k,  when  it  differs  in  nature 
from  the  graft,  is  often  of  importance.     The  more  widely 
they  differ,   the   greater  will    be  the  effect.     Thus,  when 
pears  grow  upon  pears,  the  effect  is  the  same  as  when  not 
grafted  at  all.     But  pears  on  quinces  are  attended  with  an 
increase  of   fertility.     Hence   the  adoption    of  the  quince 
stock. 

These  artificial  modes  of  inducing  fruitfulness  are  not  to 
be  recommended  for  general  practice,  nor  for  orchard  cul- 
ture. It  is  true  that  trees  will  yield  fruit  sooner  ;  but  heavy 
crops  from  young  growing  trees  are  not  often  desirable. 
Let  them  grow  freely  for  a  few  years,  and  the  amount  ulti- 
mately obtained  will  be  the  greater.  Indeed,  the  period  of 
fruitfulness  is  often  hastened  by  cultivation  and  retarded 
by  neglect.  Except  for  the  sake  of  experiment,  the  pre- 
ceding modes  are  not  to  be  applied  until  trees  are  large, 
when  good  varieties  will  bear  sufficiently  without  them. 

*  "  Many  years  ago.5'  says  David  Thomas,  "  I  had  a  tree  of  the  Mammoth 
Sweeting,  which  had  two  principal  branches.  It  comes  into  bearing  very  tardily, 
and  I  became  impatient  to  see  the  fruit  I  therefore  drew  my  knife  and  cut  through 
the  bark  transversely,  forcing  open  the  bark  by  straining  the  knife  sideway-,  as  I  drew 
it  along  an  inch  or  so  at  a  time;  so  that  when  the  ring  round  the  branch  was  com- 
pleted, it  had  a  z  gzag  appearance.  Observe,  that  no  bark  was  cut  out,  though  the 
wood  was  scraped.  This  operation  was  very  effectual  however.  The  next  season 
that  branch  bore  plentifully,  while  the  other  branch  remained  as  unproductive  as 
before.  Tiie  cutting  never  appeared  to  injure  the  branch." 


CHAPTER  XL 


IMPLEMENTS,    ETC. 


THE  more  common  tools  needed,  are  the  shovel,  the  spade, 
and  the  hoe,  for  digging  holes,  transplanting,  and  cultivating 
the  ground.  The  rake  is  useful  in  mixing  manures  with 
the  soil  for  filling  the  remote  parts  or  large  holes. 

INSTRUMENTS. 

The  pruning-knife,  fig.  47,  is  a  large  hooked  knife,  for 

removing  useless  branches. 
The  pruning-saw  is  needed 
in  taking  off  larger  limbs  ; 
[attached  to  a  handle  seve- 
47.  ral  feet  long,  it  will  reach 

those  at  a  distance  from  the  ground.     The   direction  of  the 

teeth  should  be  the  re- 
verse of  the  common 
saw ;  that  is,  they  should 

Fig.  48.  point  towards  the  ope- 

rator, constituting  what  is  called  the  draw-saw,  fig.  48.  Be- 
ing thus  only  subject  to  a  pulling  strain,  it  does  not  require 

so  thick  a  blade  as  a 
thrust-saw,  with  the 
teeth  in  the  usual  way. 
For  this  reason,  it  is 
less  liable  to  become 
broken  or  twisted.  The 
Fig.  49.  bow-saw,  fig.  49,  is  a 

light  saw  for  cutting  near  the  ground. 

The  pruning- chisel  may  differ  but  little   from  those   of  a 

common  carpenter,  fixed 
to  the  end  of  a  long  pole 
or  handle,  for  cutting  off 
small  branches  at  a  con- 
siderable  height.  It  is 
placed  against  a  limb,  and  the  stroke  of  a  mallet  separates  it. 


96 


IMPLEMENTS. 


Fig.  51. 


Small  shoots  are  removed  by  the  hooked  part,  shown  in  fig.  50. 
The  budding-knife,  fig.  51,  should  have  a  broad,  flat  blade, 

the  edge  of  which  is  to  be 
rounded  outwards,  for  the 
more  ready  incision  of  the 
bark.  The  thin  ivory  blade 
or  haft  at  the  extremity  of 
the  handle,  as  the  budding-knife  is  commonly  made,  may 
be  dispensed  with  in  nearly  all  cases,  the  bud  when  set  in, 
lifting  the  bark  as  it  slides  downwards,  more  perfectly  than 
by  any  other  mode,  after  the  corners  of  the  bark  are  lifted 
with  the  point  of  the  blade. 

The    grafting-tool   (fig.  52)    is    useful    in    cleft-grafting 

large     apple    trees.     It 
may  be    made  of  iron, 
the  edge  set  with  steel.- 
Fig.  52.  It  is  used  for  splitting 

the  stock,  after  it  is  sawed  off  and  pared.  The  part  a  should 
be  two  inches  broad  with  a  sharp  edge,  which  should  curve 
inwards,  that  the  bark,  in  splitting,  may  be  cut  first,  to  give 
it  a  smooth  flat  face.  The  wedge  b  opens  the  stock  to 
receive  the  graft.  By  the  hook  c  it  is  hung  on  a  twig 
close  at  hand,  when  not  in  use.  Grafting  wedges  for  common 
use,  may  be  made  by  grinding  down  large  cut  nails. 

The  graf ting-shears i  a  recent  invention,  have  effected  a 
great  improvement  in  cleft-grafting,  rendering  the  work 
much  more  expeditious  and  perfect.  They  consist  of  a 

short  thin  blade  of 
the  best  steel,  a,  fig; 
53,  two  or  three 
inches  long,  set  at 
an  angle  of  about  a 
hundred  and  twenty 
degrees  with  the 
handle  b,  which 
moves  it  against  a 
concave  bed  in  the  wooden  piece,  c.  The  angle  which  the 
blade  and  its  bed  form  with  the  handles,  imparts  a  sawing 
motion  to  the  knife,  which  renders  it  more  effective.  It 
may  be  used  on  stocks  an  inch  or  an  inch  and  a  half  in 
diameter.  Pressing  the  top  of  the  stock  from  the  operator 
with  one  hand,  it  is  cut  off  with  remarkable  ease  by  a  single 


5a 


IMPLEMENTS. 


97 


stroke  given  to  the  shears  with  the  other  hand.  Another 
perpendicular  stroke  slits  the  stock  for  the  graft,  leaving  a 
perfectly  smooth  face  cut  for  its  reception.  The  expedition 
and  perfection  of  the  work  is  thus  greatly  facilitated. 

Small  shears  attached  to  a  pole  and  worked  by  a  cord, 
(fig.  54,)    are   useful  for   cutting  grafts  on  tall  trees ;   in 
removing    the    eggs    of    caterpillars,    (see 
chapter  on  the  apple ;)  and  in  taking  off  fine 
fruit    to   prevent    bruising,    by   attaching    a 
basket    to    the    pole  immediately  under  the 
shears.    The  blades  of  these  shears,  forming 
an  oblique  angle  with  the  shaft  at  a  little  dis- 
tance above  the  pivot,  make  a  draw-cut  in- 
stead of  a  crushing- cut ,  and  are  for  this  reason 
more   effective.     Apples,    and    some    of   the 
Fig.  54.        harder  fruits,  may  also  be  gathered  with  a 
wooden  hook  in  the  end  of  a  pole,  to  draw  the  fruit  from 
the  branch,  caught  in  a  basket  just  underneath. 

In  using  the  long  handled  pruning-saw,  the  pruning- 
chisel,  the  graft-cutter,  or  the  fruit-gatherer,  the  operator 
may  stand  on  a  ladder  or  high  stool,  as  an  additional  assis- 
tance in  reaching  the  higher  parts  of  the  tree. 

Self-sustaining  fruit-ladders  are  very  useful  in  gathering 
fine    fruit,   to    prevent   mutilation   and 
bruising    of    the    bark   and   branches. 
Fig.  55,  is  one  of  small  size  and  simple 
construction,    is   easily  carried   in  one 
hand,  and  will  raise  one's  feet  a  yard 
or  more  from  the  ground.    It  consists  of 
a    small    piece   of  light    plank   at  the 
top,  supported  on  legs  not  larger  than 
chair    legs.        Fig.    56,    repre- 
sents one  from  eight  to  twelve  feet  high, 
the  two  single  legs  moving  on  joints,   for 
closing  against  the  ladder  in  carrying,  and 
spreading  like  a  tripod  in  setting  up  under 
the  tree. 

The  folding-ladder  may  be  closed  toge- 
ther with    the   facility  of  a   pair  of  com- 
passes ;  it  then  becomes  a  round  stick,  easily 
carried  in  one  hand.     It  is  made  of  strong 
**'          light  wood,   and  its   construction  may  be 


common 


98 


IMPLEMENTS. 


CD 


readily  understood  by  the  annexed  figure,  (57,)  representing 
the  ladder  as  open,  as  half  closed,  and  as  closely  shut.  An 
enlarged  longitudinal  section  shows  the  manner  in  which 
the  rounds  lie  in  the  grooves  or  concave  beds  in  the  sides  or 

styles ;  above  which  is  a 
cross-section  exhibiting  the 
semi-oval  form  of  the  styles. 
The  ends  of  the  rounds  turn 
on  iron  pins,  slightly  riveted 
outside.  The  rounds  rest- 
ing on  shoulders,  when  the 
ladder  is  opened,  render  the 
whole  stiff  and  firm.  A  lad- 
der of  this  construction  is 
found  very  useful,  not  only 
in  fruit-houses,  where  a  com- 
mon ladder  could  not  be 
conveniently  carried,  but  in 
pruning  standard  trees,  be- 
Fig.  57.  cause  it  can  be  thrust  through 

the  branches  like  a  round  pole,  without  the  least  difficulty, 
and  when  once  there,  it  is  easily  opened. 

The  orchardist's  hook  consists  of  a  light  rod,  with  an  iron 

hook  at  one  end,  and  a 

&-^=^    piece  of  wood  made   to 
t!=^   slide  along  it.  In  using  it 
the  fruit-gatherer  draw? 

Fl»-  58>  down  the  end  of  a  branch 

with  the  hook,  and  fastens  it  by  the  sliding  piece  to  another 
branch  below.  The  slider  passes  freely  along  the  rod,  but 
ceases  to  slide  by  the  friction  of  the  side-strain  whenever  it 
is  in  use,  fig.  58. 

TRELLIS,  for  grapes  and  espaliers.  Cedar,  or  other  du- 
rable posts  should  be  used,  set  four  or  eight  feet  apart.  The 
horizontal  bars  or  strips  should  be  let  in  the  posts,  and  should 
be  from  six  to  twelve  inches  apart. 

NET  SCREENS  are  useful  in  preventing  the  attack  of  birds 
on  rare  and  valuable  fruits  on  young  trees.  The  net  should 
be  dipped  in  tan  to  prevent  mildew  when  rolled  up  wet. 

LABELS  for  standard  trees  are  useful  in  retaining  the 
names  of  the  varieties.  Purchasers  of  trees  usually  neglect 


LABELS. 


the  names,  and  the  labels  received  with  the  trees  being  soon 
lost,  nothing  more  is  thought  of  them  till  they  begin  to  bear. 
Curiosity  is  then  excited  to  know  the  "  new  kinds."  Con- 
jecture is  set  on  foot,  and  the  greatest  confusion  follows. 
Serious  and  innumerable  mistakes  are  ma<j,e  and  perpetuated 
in  this  way  in  all  parts  of  the  country. 

Permanent  labels  are  therefore  important  and  necessary. 
The  simplest  is  made  of  a  slip  of  wood,  three  inches  long 
and  half  an  inch  wide,  suspended  to  the  branch  by  a  loop 
of  wire,  of  which  copper  is  best,  fig.  59.  The  name  will 
last  three  or  four  years,  if  written  with 
a  pencil  on  a  very  thin  coat  of  fresh 
white  paint.  Better  and  more  durable 
labels  are  made  of  small  pieces  of  sheet- 
zinc,  written  upon  with  a  mixture  of  two 
parts  (by  weight)  of  verdegris,  two  of 
sal-ammoniac,  one  of  lamp-black,  and 
thirty  of  water.  The  ingredients  are  to 
be  mixed  in  a  mortar  with  a  small  por- 
tion of  water  art  first,  and  the  whole  added 
afterwards.  Preserve  the  mixture  in  a 
well  corked  bottle,  shaking  it  repeatedly  at  first,  and  keep 
the  cork  downwards  to  prevent  the  escape  of  ammonia,  and 
it  will  remain  fit  for  use  for  years. 

If  the  pieces  of  zinc  are  suspended  by  copper  wire,  it 
should  be  firmly  twisted  round  the  zinc  so  as  not  to  remain 
loose  (fig.  60,)  or  else  the  constant  motion  from  wind,  will 
soon  wear  off  the  wire.  The  wire  should  be 
nearly  as  large  as  a  small  knitting  needle,  to  pre- 
vent cracking  off  by  long  use.  The  loop  should 
be  large,  and  pass  round  a  side-shoot,  instead  of  a 
main  branch  to  prevent  the  danger  of  cutting  in 
by  the  growth  of  the  tree  ;  and  should  be  attached 
below  a  small  fork,  to  prevent  its  blowing  off  the 
end  of  the  branch. 

The  wire  may  be  wholly  dispensed  with  by  the 
following    contrivance  :    cut   the    zinc    into   long 
triangular  strips,  half  an  inch  wide  and  six  to  ten 
inches    long.     Draw   the   narrow  or   slender   end 
Fig.  so.  roun<i  the  twig,  bring  it  through  a  hole  punched 
mid-way  between  the  ends,  and  clinch  or  twist  it  with  the 


Fig.  59. 


100  LABELS. 

fingers  or  a  small  pair  of  pinchers.     These  labels  may  be 
cut  and  punched  by  a  tinman  at  a  cheap  rate. 

Sheet  tin  may  be  used  instead  of  zinc,  using  a  sharp  awl 
to  write  the  name,  and  being  particular  to  cut  through  the 
tin  coating.  Oxidation  soon  renders  the  letters  distinct. 

Lead  labels,  (fig.  60,)  stamped  with  type,  and  suspended 
with  copper  wire,  well  twisted  against  the  hole,  to  prevent 
wearing  by  the  motion  of  the  wind,  are  very  durable. 
Fig.  61,  shows  the  mode  of  stamping,  by  sliding  the  sheet 

— 1  lead    between    two   plates    of  iron, 

H  — |  a,  b,  screwed  together,  and   setting 


m 


MOORPARK 


>  /  O  '  ^  CJ 

the    types    successively  against  the 


upper  plate,  #,  and  stamping  one  at 
a  time.  The  letters  are  thus  kept 
in  a  straight  line.  The  imprinted 
end  of  the  sheet  lead  is  then  cut  off, 
and  forms  the  label.* 

No  person,  who  plants  an  orchard 
or     fruit     garden,     should     depend 

wholly  on  labels,  which  may  be  lost  off,  to  distinguish  the 
names  of  his  trees.  The  rows,  and  the  kinds  in  each  row, 
should  be  registered  in  successive  order,  in  a  book  kept  for 
the  purpose.  This  will  facilitate  the  replacement  of  any 
lost  label. 

*  It  is  sometimes  a  matter  of  convenience  to  mark  the  names  on  specimens  of  the 
fruit  itself.  This  is  quickly  and  permanently  done  by  tracing  the  name  with  a  blunt 
ttick,  or  a  pencil,  pressing  hard  enough  to  indent  the  surface,  but  not  to  tear  the 
skin.  It  succeeds  best  on  pears,  the  writing  soon  changing  color  and  becoming 
conspicuous. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


TERMS    USED    IN    DESCRIBING  FRUITS. 


IT  is  only  by  a  uniform  and  definite  use  of  terms,  that 
descriptions  can  be  made  intelligible  to  the  reader.  A  full 
explanation  of  these  terms  hence  becomes  a  matter  of  im- 
portance. Distinctive  characters  should  be  permanent,  and 
not  liable  to  variation  with  a  change  of  locality,  soil,  season, 
or  climate  ;  or,  if  variable,  the  nature  of  such  variation 
should  be  distinctly  pointed  out.  To  assist  the  cultivator 
the  more  fully  to  understand  written  descriptions,  the  devo- 
tion of  a  few  pages  to  a  clear  explanation  of  the  terms  used 
in  this  work,  may  prove  useful. 

/.  Growth  of  the  tree,  shoots,  and  leaves. 

The  form  of  growth  often  affords  a  good  distinctive  cha- 
racter of  varieties,  not  liable  to  great  variation.  Young 
trees,  only  a  few  years  old,  usually  exhibit  peculiarities  of 
growth  more  conspicuously,  than  old  trees,  of  irregular 
spreading  branches.  Hence,  in  all  cases,  where  this  cha- 
racter is  mentioned,  it  refers  to  young  trees  not  more  than 
three  or  four  years  from  the  bud  or  graft,  unless  otherwise 
expressed. 

1.  Shoots  are  erect,  when  they  rise  nearly  perpendicularly 
from  the  main  trunk  or  stem,  as  in  the  Early  Strawberry 
apple  and  Bartlett  pear,  fig.  62. 

Diverging,  when  they  deviate  from  the  perpendicular  at 
an  angle  of  about  forty-five  degrees,  considerable  variation 
being  found  in  the  same  tree ;  as  in  the  Domine  and  Ribston 
Pippin,  fig.  63. 

Spreading,  when  they  more  nearly  approach  a  horizontal 
direction,  as  in  most  trees  of  the  Rhode  Island  Greening, 
fig.  64. 

Drooping,  when  they  fall  below  the  horizontal,  a  form 


TERMS    USED. 


which  many  spreading  shoots  assume,  as  they  grow  into  the 
large  branches  of  older  trees. 

Ascending,  when  they  curve  upwards,  as  in  the  Graven- 
stein  apple,  and  small  Red  Siberian  Crab,  fig.  65.  Erect 
trees  usually  partake  more  or  less  of  this  quality,  but  the 
Early  Harvest  is  free  from  it. 

Irregular,  when  they  assume  no  very  distinct  growth, 
but  more  or  less  a  mixture  of  the  preceding,  as  Black 
Gilliflowerr  and  Summer  Bonchretien  pear. 

Straggling,  similar  to  the  next  preceding,  but  with  shoots 
more  slender  and  curved,  as  Winter  Nelis  and  Black 
Worcester  pear,  fig.  66. 


Fig.  62.      Fig.  63. 


Fig.  64. 


Shoots  are  straight,  as  in  the  Early  Harvest  and  Northern 
Spy  apples;  flexuous,  or  more  or  less  deviating  from  a 
straight  line,  as  in  the  Swaar  and  Roxbury  Russett.  This 
distinction  is  very  apparent  and  uniform  in  young  and  very 
thrifty  trees,  but  not  in  older  ones  of  feeble  growth. 

They  are  stout,  as  in  the  Red  Astrachan ;  slender,  as  in 
the  Jonathan  apple,  and  Winter  Nelis  pear. . 

Trees  with  erect  straight  shoots  when  young,  usually 
form  more  regular  and  compact  heads  in  older  trees ;  and 
those  of  a  spreading  habit,  more  irregular  or  drooping 
heads. 

Some  trees  which  grow  very  rapidly  when  young,  are 
small  when  of  full  size,  examples  of  which  are  found  in 
the  Late  Strawberry  and  Tallman  Sweeting.  Others  at 
first  grow  more  slowly,  but  ultimately  become  large,  as 
Esopus  Spitzenburgh.  Some  varieties,  again,  continue 


TERMS    USED.  103 

to  increase  rapidly  in  size  at  all  periods,  as  the  Northern 
Spy ;  while  others  of  feeble  growth  when  small,  never 
attain  much  magnitude,  as  the  Early  Joe  and  Sine  Qua 
Non. 

2.  THE  COLOR  of  the  shoots  varies  greatly  in  the  same 
variety  at  different  periods  of  the  year,  as  well  as  with  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  exposure  to  the  sun,  and  with  a  change 
of  soil,    climate,   and  season.     When  fresh  or  very  young, 
all    have  a  greenish  color,   but  gradually  assume  various 
shades   of  yellow,    olive,   brown,  red,   purple,   and  nearly 
black,  as  the   season  advances,  and  as  they  become  bare 
and  are  exposed  to  the  sun  and  weather.     For  this  reason, 
in  describing  the  color,  the  terms  must  be  relative,  and  can 
only  be  correctly  applied  by  a  comparison  at  the  time  with 
the  color  of  other  sorts.     During  winter,   and  early  in  the 
spring,   the   shoots  of  most  trees  become  so  much  darker 
than  at  other  times,  that  it  is  only  practice  and  by  placing 
the    different    sorts    side    by  side,    that    accuracy  may  be 
attained.     Skilful  culturists  will   readily  distinguish,  by  a 
glance  at  the  color  of  the  shoots,  many  of  the  kinds  they 
cultivate ;  but  the  peculiar  cast  is  hard  to  describe  in  words, 
in  the  same  way  that  it  is  impossible  to  describe  the  hand- 
writing  of   an  individual,   so   as  to  be  known  from  fifty 
others,  although  many  can,   at    a    glance,  know  the  pen- 
manship of  hundreds  of  different  persons.     A  few  of  the 
most  strongly  marked  cases,  however,  present  peculiarities 
of  color,  which  form  useful  points  of  distinction.     No  one, 
for  instance,  could  easily  mistake  the  yellow  shoots  of  the 
Bartlett  and  Dix  pears,  for  the  dark  brown  or  purple  of  the 
Tyson  and  Forelle ;  or  the  light  greenish  cast  of  the  Bough 
and  Sine  Qua  Non  apples,  for  the  dark  color  of  the  Northern 
Spy,  or  dark  brown   of  the    Baldwin  ;    nor  the  downy  or 
greyish  appearance  of  the   Ladies'  Sweeting  and  Esopus 
Spitzenburgh,  for  the  clear  shining  brown  of  the  Gravenstein 
and  Red  Astrachan.* 

3.  THE  BUDS  sometimes  afford  distinct  characteristics.   As 
examples,  the  large,  compact,   and  projecting  buds  of  the 
summer   Bonchretien,    always    contrast    strongly   with  the 
smaller,  more  rounded,  and  softer  buds  of  the  Madeleine. 

*  Nearly  all  shoots  are  more  or  less  downy  at  first,  but  the  down  disappears  as 
hey  grow  older.  Hence  the  term  must  be  used  relatively.  Iu  plums,  the  smooth,  or 
lowny  shoots,  afford  in  most  cases  good  distinctive  points. 

5* 


104 


TERMS    USED. 


Buds  are  large  on  the  Swaar  and  Golden  Sweet ;  small  on 
the  Tallman  Sweeting  and  Rhode  Island  Greening. 

4.  THE  LEAVES  in  a  large  number  of  instances,  are  of  use 
in  distinguishing  different  varieties.  $ 

They  are  even,  (not  wrinkled,)  as  in  the  Bartlett  pear  and 
Baldwin  apple,  fig.  67. 


Fig.  67.        Fig.  68         Fig.  69. 


Fig.  70. 


Fig.  71. 


Waved,  as  in  the   Tallman   Sweeting,  and  Beurre  d'Au- 
malis  pear,  fig.  68. 

Wrinkled,  when  the  waves  are  shorter  and  more   irregu- 
lar, as  in  Green  Sweet,  fig.  69. 

Flat,  as  in  the  Madeleine  and  Skinless  pears,  fig.  70. 
Folded  and  recurved,  as  in  the  Easter   Beurre   and  Bon- 
chretien  Fondante,  fig.  71. 

Large  and  wide  as  in  the  Red  Astrachan  and  Huling's 
Superb. 

Narrow,  as  in  Dyer  apple,  and  Van  Mons  Leon  le  Clerc 
pear. 

Erect,  as  in  Early  Strawberry,  fig.  72. 

Droopi?ig,  as  in  Dominie,  fig.  73.  But 
these  two  last  are  indistinct  characters, 
and  only  to  be  resorted  to  in  a  few  very 
-remarkable  instances,  as  most  leaves  are 
"erect  on  new  shoots,  and  become  spread- 
ing or  drooping  as  they  grow  older. 

The  color  of  the  leaves  may  sometimes 
assist  in  description,  as  light  green  in  the 
Yellow  Bellflower  and  Rambo  ;  deep  green, 
as  in  the  Rhode  Island  Greening  ;  and  blueish  green,  as  in 
Peck's  Pleasant. 

The  serratures,  or  saw-teeth  markings  on  the  margins  of 
leaves,  are  characteristics  of  importance,  in  many  varieties 
of  the  apple,  and  on  the  peach  they  are  so  well  defined  as 


TERMS    USED. 


105 


to  form  a  basis  of  the  classification  of  varieties.  The  latter 
will  be  found  particularly  described  in  the  separate  chapter 
on  the  peach. 

Leaves  of  apples  are, 

Serrate,  or  cut  with  teeth  like  those  of  a  saw. 

Sharply  serrate,  when  every  serrature  ends  in  a  sharp 
point,  as  in  the  Fall  Pippin,  fig.  74. 

Doubly  serrate,  when  the  serratures  themselves  are  again 
minutely  serrated,  as  in  the  Vandevere  and  Drap  d'Or, 
fig.  75. 

Coarsely  serrate,  as  in  the  Swaar. 


71— Sharply  Serrate.        75— Doubly  Serrate.       76 — Crenate. 

Crenate,  when  the  teeth  are  rounded,  as  in  the  Esopus 
Spitzenburgh,  fig.  76. 

Obtusely  crenate,  when  the  teeth  are  unusually  rounded, 
as  in  the  Bough. 

Finely  crenate,  when  the  teeth  are  small,  as  in  summer 
Queen. 

When  the  serratures  are  partly  rounded,  and  irregularly 


106 


EXPLANATION    OF    TERMS. 


by   the 


Fig.  77. 

great    difference 


and  rather  deeply  cut,  they  become  toothed,  as  in  Ladies' 
Sweeting,  fig-.  77. 

Many  varieties   present   inter- 
mediate degrees,  as, 

Serrate-crenate,  partaking  some- 
what of  both,  as  Jersey  Sweeting, 
Summer  Rose. 

Crenate-toothed,  as  in  Bevan's 
Favorite. 

Serrate,  slightly  approaching 
toothed,  as  in  Rambo. 

FLOWERS. — In  apples,  pears, 
cherries,  and  most  other  kinds, 
but  little  difference  exists  in  the 
flowers.  In  the  peach  and  nec- 
tarine, however,  an  important 
division  in  classification  is  made 
between  those  with  large  and 

small  pefals;  one  class,  including  the  Early  Ann,  Grosse 
Mignonne,  and  others,  having  large  showy  flowers ;  and 
another  class,  comprising  Early  Crawford,  George  IV.,  and 
many  more,  having  flowers  with  small  narrow  petals. 

II.    FORM    OF    THE    FRUIT. 

In  the  following  pages,  the  base  of  a  fruit  or  any  other 
part  or  production  of  a  tree,  is  the  portion  towards  the  branch 
or  root.  This  is  in  accordance  with  the  language  univer- 
sally adopted  in  describing  plants.  It  has,  however,  been 
more  or  less  departed  from  in  the  common  language  used  to 
describe  fruits,  and  especially  so  as  applicable  to  the  pear. 
This  deviation  from  scientific  accuracy  tends  to  confusion, 
and  if  simplicity  of  expression  is  sought,  ambiguity  must 
be  avoided.  The  apex  of  the  stalk  of  a  fruit,  however,  to 
avoid  the  chance  for  a  mistake,  may  in 
all  cases  be  termed  the  insertion. 

The  term  apex  should  be  understood  as 
applying  to  the  part  most  remote  from 
the  branch  or  root.  In  fruits,  it  is  the 
part  opposite  to  the  insertion  of  ihe  stalk 
In  pears,  this  part  is  usually  denominated 
the  crown. 


EXPLANATION   OF  TERMS.  107 

The  aids  is  a  line  connecting  the  base  and  apex. 

A  longitudinal  section  is  made  by  cutting  an  apple  from 
base  to  apex. 

A  transverse  section,  by  cutting  it  at  right  angles  to  the  axis. 

The  length  is  the  longitudinal  diameter  ;  the  breadth^  the 
transverse  diameter. 

A  fruit  is  round  when  nearly  spherical,  as  Fameuse, 
Green  Sweet. 

Roundish,,  when  varying  slightly  from  round,  or  when 
the  length  and  breadth  are  nearly  equal,  as  Dyer  and  Gra- 
venstein. 


79 — Oblate.  80 — Conical.  81 — Ovate.          82 — Obconic. 

Oblate,  flat,  or  flattened,  when  the  height  is  much  less  than 
the  breadth  ,  as  Rambo,  Maiden's  Blush,  fig.  79. 

Conical,when  tapering  from  the  base  to  the  apex,  as  Bul- 
lock's Pippin,  fig.  80. 

Ovate,  or  egg-shaped,  when  the  length  rather  exceeds 
the  breadth,  with  a  rounded  taper  from  base  to  apex,  as  in 
Esopus  Spitzenburgh,  fig.  81. 

Obconic.,*  or  reversed  conical,  when  the  smaller  end  is  at 
the  base  or  stalk,  as  in  the  Tyson  pear,  fig.  82. 

Obovate,  or  reversed  ovate,  is  when  the  smaller  end  of  an 
egg-shaped  fruit  is  at  the  base,  as  the  Buflfum  and  Dearborn 
Seedling  pears,  fig.  83. 


83— Obovate.        84— Oblong.  85— Round-ovate.     86— Oblate-conical. 

Oblong,  when  the  length  exceeds  the  breadth,  and  the 

*  This  terra  is  chiefly  applied  to  pears,  and  is  nearly  equivalent  to  pyramidal,  but 
E  more  precise  in  its  meaning. 


108  EXPLANATION    OF    TEEMS. 

sides     are     nearly  parallel,     as     Kaighn's  Spitzenburgh, 
fig.  84. 

Obtuse,  when  the  parts  are  rounded  or  blunt. 
Acute,  when  any  part,  as  the  neck  of  a  pear,   tapers  to 
nearly  a  point. 

Fruits  may  partake  of  forms  variously  combined,  as, 
Round-ovate,  when  nearly  round,  with  a  slight  rounded 
taper  to  apex,  as  Lady's  Sweeting,  fig.  85. 

Round-conical,  nearly  the  same  as  the  last,  but  with  the 
taper  less  rounded. 

Oblong- conical,  as  Yellow  Bellflower. 
Oblong-ovate,  as  Black  Gilliflower. 

Oblate-conical,  as  Rhode  Island  Greening,  and  Hawthorn- 
dean,  fig.  86. 

Depressed,  pressed  down,  sunk,  or  shortened,  applied  to 
the  apex  of  peaches,  strawberries,  &c. 

Flattened  at  the  ends  when  the  base  and  apex  only  are 
flattened,  as  Winter  Pearmain.  An  oblong  fruit,  though 
not  flat,  may  be  flattened  at  ends ;  a  conical  fruit  may  be 
flattened  at  base. 

Compressed,  pressed  together,  when  the  sides  are  flattened, 
as  in  some  apricots,  plums,  &c. 

The  CAVITY  is  the  hollow  in  which  the  stalk  or  stem  of  a 
fruit  is  placed. 

The  BASIN  is  the  depression 
which  contains  the  calyx,  eye, 
or  remains  of  the  blossom. 

A  cavity  may  be  shallow, 
narrow,  deep,  or  broad. 

It  may  be  obtuse,  or  some- 
what blunt  or  rounded  at  bottom, 
as  in  the  Petre  pear  and  Pomme 
Grise  apple,  fig.  87. 

Acute,  when  simply  ending 
in  a  sharp  point  at  bottom,  as 
Baldwin,  fig.  88. 

Acuminate,  when  ending  in  a  long  drawn  out  taper,  as 
Fall  Pippin,  fig.  89.  The  Holland  and  Fall  Pippin  are 
distinguished  from  each  other  by  the  rather  obtuse  cavity 
of  the  former,  and  acuminate  cavity  of  the  latter. 

The  BASIN  is  always  narrow  in  any  fruit  having  a  narrow 


EXPLANATION    OF    TERMS. 


Fig.  87— Obtuse.  Fig*  88.  Fig.  89. 

or  pointed  apex,  fig.  90  ;  it  is  usually  wide  in  fruits  having 
a  wide  or  obtuse  apex,  as  Ram  bo,  fig.  91  ;  but  where  the 
rim  or  boundary  is  broad  and  obtuse,  the  basin  may  be 
narrow,  as  in  the  St.  Lawrence  and  Gravenstein,  fig.  92. 

It  is  distinct  when  well  defined. 

Abrupt,  when  the  depression  breaks  off  suddenly  from  the 
rim,  fig.  93. 


Fig.  90. 


Fig.  91. 


Fig.  92. 


Fig.  93. 


Even,  when  not  furrowed  or  wrinkled. 

Angular,  with  several  corners. 

Wrinkled,  having  small  irregular  hollows  and  ridges. 

Waved,  with  gentle  and  irregular  undulations  of  surface. 

Furrowed,  when  more  regularly  channelled. 

Plaited,  having  small,  straight,  and  regular  ridges. 

Hibbed,  with  larger  and  more  obtuse  or  rounded  ridges. 

The  peculiar  forms  of  PEARS  render  some  additional  terms 
necessary : 

Many  pears  have  a  neck,  or  narrower  part  towards  the 
stalk,  and  a  body,  or  larger  part  towards  the  crown,  fig.  94. 

They  are  distinctly  pyriform,  when  the  sides  formed  by 
the  body  and  neck,  are  more  or  less  concave  or  hollowed  in, 
as  in  fig.  94,  shown  by  the  dotted  lines. 

Turbinate,  or  top-shaped,  when  the  body  is  nearly  round, 
and  a  short  rounded  acute  neck,  as  in  the  Bloodgood,  fig.  95. 


110 


EXPLANATION    OF    TERMS. 


The  form  of  different  pears  is  further  distinguished  by  the 
form  of  the  different  parts  : 

The  neck  may  be  long,  as  in  Calebasse. 
Narrow,  as  in  Beurre  Bosc,  fig.  96. 
Short,  as  in  Glout  Morceau,  fig.  97. 
Obtuse,  as  in  Bartlett. 
dcute,  as  in  Jargonelle,  fig.  98. 


Fig.  94. 


Fig.  95. 


Fig.  96. 


Fig.  97.        Fig.  98. 


Obconic,  as  in  Capiaumont. 

Distinct,  as  in  Beurre  Bosc. 

Obscure,  as  in  Seckel. 

The  body  may  be  heavy  or  large,  when  greatly  exceeding 
in  size  the  neck,  as  Catillac. 

Light  or  small,  when  not  much  larger  than  the  neck,  ss 
Washington;  in  which  case  the  fruit  approaches  oblong 
in  form. 

Oblate,  or  flattish,  as  in  Frederick  of  Wurtemburg. 

Round,  as  in  Jargonelle. 

Conical,  as  in  Vicar  of  Winkfield. 

Ovate,  as  in  Marie  Louise.* 

CHERRIES  may  be  round,  cordate  or  heart  shaped,  or  ovate. 

STONE  FRUITS  usually  have  a  furrow  on  one  side,  extend- 
ing from  the  stalk  to  the  apex,  termed  a  suture,  (literally 
meaning  a  seam,}  which  sometimes  occurs  on  both  sides.  It 
is  large,  when  wide  and  deep  ;  distinct,  when  clear  or  well 
defined ;  obscure,  when  faint ;  obsolete,  when  not  existing, 
or  only  a  faint  line  on  the  surface. 

COLOR  OF  FRUIT. — The  lightest  colored  fruit  is  white,  as 
the  Snow  peach ;  next,  yellowish  white  ;  pale  yellow ;  yel- 

*  Cultivation  influences  considerably  the  form  of  pears.  Thus,  on  a  young  thrifty 
tree,  the  Seckel  pear  has  a  slight  neck;  on  an  old  heavily  laden  tree,  the  neck  is 
obsolete.  The  body,  when  ovate  or  slightly  conical  on  young  trees,  becomes 
rounded  on  older  trees,  and  eveu  flattened  in  rare  instances. 


EXPLANATION    OF   TERMS.  Ill 

low ;  and  deep  yellow.  The  addition  of  red  produces  suc- 
cessively, orange  yellow,  orange,  orange  red,  rich  warm  red. 
Shades  of  red,  clear  red,  crimson  when  darkened,  purple 
when  blue  is  added,  violet,  less  blue  than  in  purple.  Am- 
ber is  a  very  light  yellowish  brown.  Fawn  color  is  a  light 
reddish  brown,  with  a  slight  admixture  of  grey. 

A  fruit  is  striped,  when  in  alternating  broad  lines  of 
color ; 

Streaked,  when  the  lines  are  long  and  narrow; 

Marbled,  when  the  stripes  are  wide,  faint,  irregular  or 
waving ; 

Blotched,  of  different  abrupt  shades,  without  any  order  or 
regularity ; 

Clouded,  when  the  blotches  are  broader  and  more  softly 
shaded ; 

Stained,  the  lighter  shades  of  a  blotched  or  clouded  apple; 

Splashed,  when  the  stripes  are  much  broken  and  all 
sizes ; 

Mottled,  covered  with  nearly  confluent  dots ; 

Dotted,  when  these  dots  are  more  distinct ; 

Spotted,  when  the  dots  become  larger. 

TEXTURE  OF  FRUIT.  Hard,  those  which  need  the  artifi- 
cial aid  of  cooking  to  soften  them  sufficiently,  as  the  Catil- 
lac  pear. 

Breaking,  when  tenderer  than  the  preceding,  but  not 
yielding  to  the  simple  pressure  of  the  mouth,  as  Summer 
Bonchretien. 

Buttery,  when  the  flesh  forms  a  soft  mass,  yielding  to 
the  pressure  of  the  mouth,  as  in  the  White  Doyenne  and 
Seckel  pears. 

Melting,  when  the  flesh  becomes  nearly  or  entirely  liquid 
by  this  pressure,  as  in  the  Madeleine.  These  qualities  may 
be  combined,  as  breaking  and  melting,  in  the  Washington; 
breaking  and  buttery,  in  the  Onondaga  ;  buttery  and  melt- 
ing, in  the  Tyson,  and  in  most  of  the  best  varieties  of  the 
pear. 

The  texture  may  be  fine,  granular,  coarse,  gritty,  fibrous, 
tough,  crisp,  or  tender. 

THE  FLAVOR  may  be  sweet,  neutral,  slightly  sub-acid,  or 
mild  sub-acid,  sub-acid,  acid,  very  acid,  or  austere  ;  aromat' 


112  EXPLANATION    OF    TERMS. 

or  spicy ;  perfumed  or  possessing  odor  and  with  more  or  less 
of  a  shade  of  musk;  astringent,  usually  a  defect,  but  some- 
times, an  excellent  quality,  if  in  a  very  minute  proportion  ; 
rough,  astringent  and  austere ;  vinous,  rich,  high-flavored, 
and  rather  acid ;  sugary  or  saccharine,  sometimes  nearly 
sweet,  possessing  the  qualities  of  sugar,  which  may  be 
mixed  with  acid. 

THE  QUALITY  is  designated  by  first,  second,  and  third 
rates  ;  and  fruits  perfectly  worthless  by  still  lower  grades. 
A  second  rate  fruit,  to  be  worthy  of  cultivation,  must 
possess  other  good  qualities  in  a  high  degree,  as  hardi- 
ness, productiveness,  fair  appearance,  &c.  Very  few  fruits 
as  low  as  third  rate,  can  ever  be  worth  retaining,  and  only 
for  extreme  earliness  or  other  uncommon  quality.  Fruits 
that  possess  desirable  qualities,  are  usually  designated  by 
three  degrees  of  flavor;  the  lowest,  including  the  best  of 
second  rate  fruits,  or  "  good  second  rate,"  are  termed  good; 
the  lower  grade  of  first  rate  fruits  are  termed  very  good,  or 
fine;  and  the  highest  quality  of  all,  are  best,  very  fine,  or 
excellent.  Examples, — Maiden's  Blush  apple,  Napoleon 
pear,  Lombard  plum,  and  Crawford's  Early  peach,  are  good ; 
Khode  Island  Greening,  Bartlett  pear,  Graffion  or  Bigarreau 
cherry,  and  Red  Gage  plum,  are  very  good  or  fine;  and 
Swaar  apple,  Seckel  pear,  Downton  cherry,  and  Green  Gage 
plum,  are  excellent  or  best. 


PART  II. 


ON    THE 


DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF  FRUITS. 


PART    II. 


ON  THE  DIFFERENT  KINDS  OF  FRUITS. 

THROUGHOUT  the  following  part  of  this  work,  to  enable  the 
reader  to  perceive  at  a  glance,  the  character  and  quality  of 
a  fruit,  without  the  trouble  of  reading  every  separate  de- 
scription, the  different  degrees  of  excellence  are  indicated 
by  the  type  used  for  the  name.  Those  varieties  which  have 
been  admitted  as  eminently  worthy  of  cultivation,  by  a  large 
vote  in  many  different  parts  of  the  country,  are  printed  in 
LARGE  CAPITALS ;  those  next  in  quality  and  value,  and 
in  nearly  all  cases  fruits  of  first  quality,  are  designated  by 
SMALL  CAPITALS  ;  those  worthy  of  a  place  only  in  large  col- 
lections, or  whose  character  has  not  yet  been  fully  estab- 
lished, are  in  Italics  ;  while  such  as  have  been  superseded 
or  are  unworthy  of  cultivation  except  on  the  trial  grounds 
of  the  Pomologist,  are  in  common  Roman  type.  A  few  new 
varieties  of  high  excellence,  which  promise  to  become 
general  favorities,  are  given  in  ITALIC  CAPITALS. 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  remark  that  the  task  of  thus 
classing  the  numerous  varieties,  is  one  of  extraordinary 
difficulty.  The  diversities  of  tastes,  the  changes  wrought 
by  soil,  culture,  and  climate,  and  the  different  estimates 
placed  upon  delicious  flavor  alone,  productiveness,  handsome 
appearance,  early  maturity  or  long  keeping,  would  wholly 
preclude  entire  unanimity  in  any  one  case.  The  author  has 
endeavored  to  weigh  properly  all  the  different  objections 
and  recommendations,  according  to  the  best  information  to  be 
obtained ;  and  in  this  labor  he  has  been  generously  assisted 
by  several  of  the  most  eminent  Pomologists  of  the  country. 

It  has  been  the  aim  to  admit,  in  no  instance,  any  new 
variety,  that  cannot  deservedly  rank  among  those  of  high 
excellence  ;  all  others  being  such  as  have  either  been  known 
by  extensive  dissemination  or  by  descriptions  in  books. 


116  NAMES    AND    SYNONYMS. 

NAMES  AND  SYNONYMS.  When  more  than  one  name  for 
a  single  variety  has  been  widely  known,  it  has  been  the  aim 
of  the  author  to  select  the  one  most  commonly  used.  For 
this  reason,  those  adopted  in  Downing's  "  Fruits  and  Fruit 
Trees  of  America,"  have  in  nearly  all  cases  been  retained, 
a  work  more  extensively  circulated  than  any  of  a  similar 
character. 

It  happens,  in  some  instances,  that  the  original  or  correct 
name  may  have  been  for  a  long  time  partly  or  wholly  thrown 
aside  and  a  new  one  substituted ;  thus,  William's  Bonchre- 
tien  has  given  way  to  the  name  Bartlett ;  Pomme  Royal  to 
Dyer  ;  Epargne  to  Jargonelle  ;  Williams  to  William's 
Favorite.  In  such  cases,  it  can  be  hardly  proper  to  tax  the 
whole  community  to  make  a  change,  to  rectify  the  error  of 
an  individual ;  and  the  more  common  name  has  been 
retained.  A  pomological  writer,  like  the  compiler  of  a  dic- 
tionary, should  confine  himself  as  nearly  as  practicable 
to  general  usage,  and  not  to  the  manufacture  of  new  names. 
Old  and  popular  names,  as  Bough  and  Pennock,  have  hence 
been  preferred  to  the  newer  ones  of  Large  Yellow  Bough 
and  Pennock's  Red  Winter. 

In  a  few  instances,  however,  to  prevent  mistake  or  con- 
fusion, it  becomes  necessary  to  choose  the  appellation  the 
less  widely  known.  Preference  is  also  given  to  English 
names.  Thus,  the  example  of  Downing  has  been  followed 
in  the  adoption  of  such  names  as  Blue  Gage,  Purple  Gage, 
and  Echassery,  as  used  by  Lindley,  instead  of  Azure 
Hative,  Reine  Claude  Violette,  and  Echasserie,  by  Thomp- 
son. The  course  pursued  with  foreign  names  is  more  fully 
explained  on  a  future  page. 

Cases  of  difficulty  occur  where  usage  differs  with  a 
change  of  locality.  The  fruit  known  as  the  Butter  pear 
of  Pennsylvania,  the  Virgalieu  of  New  York,  and  the  St. 
Michael  of  New  England,  evidently  requiring  a  general 
name,  the  original  European  appellation  of  White  Doyenne 
has  been  chosen.  The  Ortley  or  White  Detroit  apple,  fur- 
nishes a  similar  case.  Decisions  can  hardly  be  satisfactory 
to  all  parties,  however  carefully  opposing  claims  may  have 
been  weighed ;  and  the  voice  of  the  public  at  large  can 
only  finally  settle  such  disputed  questions. 


CHAPTER  I. 


THE    APPLE. 


"  THE  APPLE,"  says  Downing,  "  is  the  world-renowned  fruit 
of  temperate  climates."  Although  less  delicious  than  the 
peach  or  pear,  it  possesses,  from  its  great  hardiness,  easy 
cultivation,  productiveness,  its  long  continuance  through  the 
whole  twelve  months,  and  various  uses,  an  importance  not 
equalled  by  any  other  fruit. 

Its  value  as  a  table  fruit,  or  for  cooking,  and  its  increasing 
importance  as  an  article  for  exportation,  are  well  known. 
But  its  great  value  and  cheapness  as  food  for  domestic  animals 
is  very  imperfectly  comprehended  or  understood.  Take  for 
example,  a  brief  estimate  : — Where  land  is  fifty  dollars  per 
acre,  an  acre  of  good  productive  apple  trees  may  be  planted 
and  brought  into  bearing  for  as  much  more,  making  the 
entire  cost  one  hundred  dollars.  These  will  yield,  as  an 
average,  four  hundred  bushels  annually,  or  ten  bushels  per 
tree,  if  the  best  cultivation  is  given.  The  annual  interest  of 
the  orchard,  at  six  per  cent.,  is  six  dollars  ;  the  annual  cultiva- 
tion will  not  exceed  six  more,  or  twelve  dollars  as  the  cost 
of  the  whole  crop  on  the  trees,  or  three  cents  per  bushel.  In 
many  fertile  parts  of  the  country,  where  one  plowing  and 
two  or  three  harrowings  each  year  would  be  all  the  cultiva- 
tion needed,  the  cost  of  the  ungathered  crop  would  be  only 
a  cent  and  a  half  per  bushel.  The  value  of  sweet  apples 
for  cattle  and  swine  has  proved  to  be  fully  equal  to  the 
best  root  crops.  No  land-owner  need  therefore  fear  to  plant 
extensively,  with  a  view  of  being  furnished  with  a  copious 
supply  of  food  for  domestic  animals,  needing  not,  like  other 
crops,  the  yearly  attention  and  care  of  procuring  seed  and 
planting. 


118  PROPAGATION  OF  THE  APPLE. 

PROPAGATION. 

Raising  the  Seedlings.  The  seeds  are  most  easily  ob- 
tained from  the  pomace  of  cider  mills.  They  will  make 
the  most  thrifty  plants,  if  the  apples  are  selected  from  the 
most  rapidly  growing  sorts.  The  pomace  is  to  be  broken  up 
fine,  in  a  large  wash  tub,  mixed  with  water,  stirred,  and 
allowed  to  stand  a  few  seconds,  when  the  seeds  will  settle 
to  the  bottom,  and  the  apple  pulp  is  then  racked  off.  A  man 
will  thus  wash  out  half  a  bushel  of  seeds  in  a  day.  The 
clean  seeds  are  more  evenly  and  conveniently  sown  than  in 
the  pomace,  which  may  be  done  either  in  autumn  or  spring. 
If  not  done  till  spring,  they  should  be  kept  through  the  win- 
ter, mixed  with  clean,  moist  sand,  or  with  fine  peat  or  pul- 
verised muck,  ard  exposed  to  the  frost,  which  will  tend  to 
split  the  exterior  horny  covering.  If  mixed  with  soil  or 
loam,  it  will  be  more  difficult  to  separate  the  seed  in  dropping. 

The  seeds  may  be  sown  in  drills  from  one  to  two  feet 
apart,  to  be  kept  clean  with  the  hoe.  Or  where  land  can 
be  afforded,  they  may  be  sown  in  wide  drills,  three  feet 
apart,  for  the  cultivator  to  pass  between.  When  sown  in 
the  autumn,  on  soils  which  have  a  large  admixture  of  clay, 
the  seed  should  be  covered  with  fine  muck  or  peat,  to  pre- 
vent the  formation  of  the  crust  on  such  soils,  often  so  hard 
that  the  young  plants  cannot  rise  through  it.  A  compost 
made  of  peat  and  one  quarter  of  its  bulk  of  ashes,  is  still 
Letter.  If  sown  in  the  spring,  the  seed  should  be  mostly 
covered  with  soil,  with  only  a  sprinkling  of  muck  on  the 
surface  ;  otherwise  the  seeds  or  young  plants  may  perish  by 
becoming  too  dry  before  they  are  well  established.  A 
sprinkling  of  fine  manure  will  accomplish  nearly  the  same 
purpose. 

The  seedlings  are  treated  in  three  different  ways.  They 
may  be  set  out  into  nursery  rows  in  the  spring,  when  a  year 
old,  to  be  budded  the  second  summer ;  they  may  be  taken 
up  and  root-grafted  as  soon  as  large  enough  ;  or  they  may 
be  planted  into  rows  and  grafted  at  any  subsequent  period. 

1.  Budding.  When  the  young  plants  are  vigorous  and 
the  land  fertile,  the  budding  may  sometimes  be  done  the 
first  year  after  removal  to  the  nursery  rows,  but  usually 
the  second  summer  will  be  found  best,  when  the  trees  are 
of  sufficient  size,  and  in  the  highest  state  of  vigor,  and 


PROPAGATION  OF  THE  APPLE.  119 

when,  as  a  consequence,  the  bark  will  separate  freely,  and 
the  work  be  expeditious  as  we  1  as  sure  of  success.  These 
are  headed  back  the  following  spring,  according  to  the  treat- 
ment described  in  the  chapter  on  budding. 

2.  Root- grafting.  This  is  done  by  whip  or  tongue 
grafting,  already  described  on  a  previous  page.  When  per- 
formed on  a  large  scale,  by  nurserymen,  the  season  selected 
is  the  latter  part  of  winter,  and  before  the  commencement 
of  the  usual  spring  operations.  It  is  wholly  performed 
within  doors,  and  consequently  the  seedlings  must  be  taken 
up  the  preceding  autumn.  Most  of  the  part  above  ground 
is  cut  off,  to  save  room,  and  they  are  then  packed  in  tight 
boxes,  to  be  secure  from  mice,  in  a  common  cellar.  The 
usual  practice  is  to  fill  the  interstices  among  the  roots  with 
moist  earth ;  but  pulverised  muck  is  better,  as  it  admits  a 
more  easy  separation  of  the  tre.es,  and  they  are  less  covered 
with  grit,  and  more  easily  washed.  Trees  of  two  years' 
growth  are  usually  quite  large  enough,  and  sometimes  one- 
year  seedlings  will  do. 

When  ready  to  commence  grafting,  roots  enough  for  one 
day's  work  are  taken,  the  side  roots  trimmed  within  about 
a  quarter  of  an  inch  of  the  main  root,  and  they  are  cut  in 
pieces  about  four  inches  long ;  the  upper  piece  may  have  a 
portion  of  the  stem  attached.  They  are  then  washed  by 
stirring  them  in  a  pail  of  water,  leaving  them  in  the  water, 
and  taking  out  small  quantities  to  dry',  as  wanted  for  use. 
Scions  for  half  a  day's  work  are  then  cut  about  four  inches 
long,  and  a  portion  prepared  for  setting  by  cutting  the  usual 
slope  and  tongue  at  the  lower  end.  The  roots  are  then  cut 
one  by  one  in  the  same  way,  and  the  grafts  inserted.  The 
place  of  union  is  then  covered  with  grafting  wax.  This 
may  be  applied,  either  directly  in  a  melted  state,  with  a 
small  brush,  which  is  best  and  most  expeditious ;  or  by 
rolling  tightly  round,  a  small  strip  of  wax  plaster.  Tying 
with  strings  is  wholly  needless,  if  the  grafting  has  been 
properly  done  by  crowding  the  tongue  and  cleft  closely 
together,  so  that  the  parts  cannot  be  easily  displaced.  Wax 
for  this  purpose,  being  placed  always  beneath  the  surface  of 
the  soil,  should  be  softer  than  for  other  grafting,  to  facilitate 
its  more  ready  application,  and  to  prevent  any  danger  of 
scorching  the  bark  by  heating  it  in  melting.  A  larger 


120  PROPAGATION  OF  THE  APPLE. 

portion  of  tallow  or  oil  in  the  wax  described  under  grafting, 
will  accomplish  this  purpose. 

When  the  grafting  is  completed,  the  grafted  roots  are  to 
be  packed  away  in  boxes,"  till  the  ground  opens.  Raisin 
boxes,  or  those  of  similar  size,  will  prove  convenient.  Fine 
mould  or  peat,  from  the  box  in  which  the  roots  were  packed, 
is  sprinkled  over  the  bottom,  the  grafts  are  placed  in,  slant- 
ing, in  successive  layers,  and  all  the  spaces  filled  with 
mould  or  peat.  A  strip  of  board,  with  a  length  equal  to 
the  width  of  the  box,  to  press  against  each  successive  layer 
while  applying  the  mould,  is  found  convenient.  The  mould 
should  reach  within  an  inch  or  two  of  the  tops  of  the  grafts, 
and  should  be  compactly  filled  among  them.  During  the 
whole  of  the  work,  each  heap  of  grafts  must  be  kept  with 
a  label,  and  every  box  sufficiently  marked,  to  prevent  all 
possibility  of  mistake. 

It  is  a  practice  with  many  cultivators  to  place  the  boxes 
in  so  warm  a  place,  that  the  grafts  may  make  a  growth  of 
a  few  inches  before  setting  out.  But  unless  the  soil  is  very 
favorable,  the  result  is  often  unsuccessful.  As  a  general 
rule,  for  all  localities,  the  grafts  should  be  set  out  as  early 
as  practicable  in  spring,  and  before  they  have  made  much 
growth. 

Waxing  is  sometimes  omitted  ;  but  in  light  or  gravelly 
soils,  and  especially  if  dry  weather  succeeds,  the  omission  is 
attended  with  great  loss. 

The  most  favorable  soils,  are  rich,  rather  moist,  and 
rather  heavy  loams.  If  light  or  gravelly,  there  is  more  dan- 
ger from  midsummer  drouths,  which  often  prove  quite  de- 
structive. Grafting  the  whole  root  entire  will  much 
lessen  the  difficulty. 

The  grafts  are  most  expeditiously  set  out  with  a 
dibble,  or  a  sharp  tool,  shod  with  iron  or  steel,  about 
an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter,  one  stroke  of  which 
into  the  mellow  soil  forms  a  hole  for  the  roots,  and 
two  or  three  lighter  strokes  press  the  earth  closely 
Fig.  100.  about  them.  Fig.  100  represents  a  convenient  form 
for  this  instrument,  which  may  be  made  of  the  handle  of  a 
broken  spade.  Fig.  101  shows  the  graft  and  root,  ready  for 
setting  out.  To  keep  the  whole  moist,  till  sufficient  growth 
takes  place,  the  place  of  union  between  the  root  and  graft 


PEOPAGATION  OF  THE  APPLE.  121 

should  be  at  least  three  inches  below  the  surface.  Espe- 
cial care  is  needed  to  fill  up  closely  the  hole  made  by  the 
tool,  and  that  no  cavity  is  left  about  the  lower  part  of  the 
root,  which  is  sometimes  done  by  the  inexperienced 
workman. 

The  chief  care  afterwards  is  to  keep  the  ground 
constantly  cultivated,  and  perfectly  clean,  which  will 
increase  the  growth  during  summer,  and  exclude 
mice  in  winter ;  the  trees  are  to  be  trained  up  to 
one  leading  stem,  not  trimming  so  closely  as  to  make 
them  slender ;  they  are  to  be  kept  straight,  by  ty- 
ing them  when  necessary  to  upright  stakes ;  and  all 
101.  destructive  insects  must  be  watched  and  destroyed. 
If  the  ground  is  rich  and  kept  perfectly  clean,  they  will 
grow  from  one  and  a  half  to  two  feet  the  first  summer  after 
grafting ;  to  three  or  four  feet,  the  second  summer ;  five  to 
six  or  seven  feet  the  third  summer,  when  many  of  them 
will  be  large  enough  for  removal  to  the  orchard,  and  most 
of  the  remainder  in  one  year  more.  If  suffered  to  remain 
longer  in  the  nursery,  they  should  be  taken  up  and  set  out 
again,  for  the  purpose  of  shortening  the  long  roots,  without 
which  subsequent  transplanting  would  be  attended  with 
too  great  a  check  in  the  growth,  if  not  actual  danger  to  the 
tree. 

Root  grafting  is  extensively  performed  in  large  nurseries, 
but  on  unsuitable  soils,  budding  is  found  the  most  certain  of 
success,  the  buds  being  rarely  destroyed,  and  only  by  the 
most  unfavorable  winters.  The  bud  remaining  dormant  the 
first  summer,  the  growth  is  one  year  later  than  on  grafted 
stocks  of  the  same  age ;  but  this  difference  is  made  up  by 
the  more  rapid  growth  of  the  shoot  from  the  bud,  which 
is  usually  twice  as  great  as  that  of  a  graft  on  the  root.  To 
obtain  handsome  and  good  trees,  the  bud  should  be  set  within 
two  or  three  inches  of  the  ground. 

An  industrious  man  will  set  and  wax  in  a  day  500  root 
grafts,  or  the  same  number  of  buds,  tying  them  in  for  him- 
self. If  a  careful  boy  ties  the  buds  after  him,  1000  per  day 
will  not  be  a  severe  task. 

PLANTING    ORCHARDS. 

Soil.  The  apple  is  a  vigorous  and  hardy  tree,  and  will 
grow  upon  most  soils.  It  does  best  however,  on  those  that 


122  PLANTING  APPLE  ORCHARDS. 

are  deep,  rich  and  fertile,  such  as  will  give  good  crops  of 
Indian  corn.  Hard,  shallow,  and  wet  grounds  are  to  be 
avoided.  Improvement  by  manuring,  and  deep  cultivation, 
is  desirable,  as  a  great  difference  in  quality  and  productive- 
ness results  from  a  difference  in  fertility.  The  application 
of  lirne,  where  not  abundant  in  the  soil,  is  of  great  impor- 
tance. 

Distance.  Where  the  quantity  of  grour/d  is  limited  and 
in  rare  cases,  trees  may  for  a  time  stand  within  fifteen  or 
twenty  feet ;  but  for  large  and  permanent  orchards  they 
should  not  be  nearer  than  thirty  feet.  There  is  however, 
a  material  difference  in  the  size  of  varieties,  hence  a  varia- 
tion may  be  allowed.  But  this  variation  in  distance  should 
not  break  the  rows  which  are  to  be  preserved  for  con- 
venience in  cultivation.  The  rows  may  be  kept  entire,  by 
varying  the  distance  in  one  way  only,  as  in  the  annexed 
figure.  The  middle  portion  is  for  trees  of  the  largest  size, 
as  the  Spitzenburgh,  Fall  Pippin,  and  Rhode  Island 
Greening ;  those  of  smallest  size,  as  Bough,  Yellow  Har- 
vest and  Sine  Qua  Non,  are  on  the  left  ;  and  those  of  middle 
growth,  as  the  Swaar,  Black  Gilliflower,  and  Tallman 
Sweeting,  are  on  the  right. 


#  *  #  *  #  #  # 

#  *  *  #  =*  #  * 

#  *  *  *  *  *  # 

#  *  #  *  *  #  * 

#  #  #  *  *  #  * 


This  distinction  in  the  size  of  the  trees,  is  only  necessary 
in  the  most  extensive  orchards. 

Transplanting.  Full  directions  have  been  given  in  a  pre 
ceding  chapter,  where  the  superior  advantages  of  broad, 
deep,  and  loose  beds  of  earth,  made  by  heavy  subsoiling 
and- manuring,  have  been  pointed  out;  or  in  the  absence  of 
this  excellent  preparation,  by  digging  large  holes  to  be 
filled  with  rich  mould,  or  manured  surface-soil.  This  care 
is  often  thought  unnecessary  with  so  hardy  a  tree  as  the 
apple.  But  a  just  comparison  of  the  two  modes  would 
exhibit  its  eminent  advantages.  Take,  for  instance,  the 
least  efficient  of  the  two  modes,  that  of  digging  large  holes. 
A  hundred  holes,  six  feet  in  diameter,  may  be  dug  by  a 


RENOVATING  OLD  ORCHARDS.  123 

man  in  eight  days, — and  filled  with  muck  or  rich  mould 
in  four  days  more  ;  the  cost  with  team,  eleven  dollars.  A 
hundred  small  holes  may  be  dug  in  four  days ;  cost,  three 
dollars ;  difference,  against  large  holes,  eight  dollars.  The 
trees  planted  in  the  large  holes  would  probably  yield  with 
good  attention,  a  bushel  a  tree,  in  five  years,  making  100 
bushels ;  the  sixth  year  120  bushels ;  the  seventh,  150 ; 
the  eighth,  190  ;  the  ninth,  240  ;  the  tenth,  300  ;  total  1000 
bushels, — worth,  at  20  cents,  $200.  The  other  would  not 
probably  produce  100  bushels  in  less  than  ten  years,  which 
would  be  worth  $20.  Difference  in  favor  of  large  holes, 
$180,  to  balance  $8,  against  them.  Although  the  calcu- 
lation cannot  be  precise,  it  is  probably  a  tolerable  ap- 
proximation, and  must  appear  moderate  when  the  increased 
size  of  the  trees  and  superiority  of  the  crop  for  many  years 
afterwards  is  taken  into  account. 

The  objection  that  such  work  must  be  done  at  a  very  busy 
season  of  the  year,  may  be  obviated  by  digging  the  holes 
and  filling  them  at  some  other  time. 

CULTIVATION. 

The  importance  of  thorough  cultivation,  has  been  already 
aoticed,  and  cannot  be  too  well  understood.  If  two  speci- 
mens could  be  exhibited  side  by  side,  the  one  showing  the 
stunted,  lingering,  mice-eaten  and  moss-covered  trees, 
:aused  by  neglect ;  and  the  other,  the  vigorous  and  thrifty 
growth,  and  the  fair  and  abundant  crops,  resulting  from 
ine  and  clean  culture ;  none  could  fail  to  be  satisfied  of  the 
superiority  of  the  one  arid  impolicy  of  the  other. 

RENOVATING  AND  PRUNING  OLD  ORCHARDS. 

As  soon  as  the  first  symptom  of  failure  in  old  orchards 
ppears,  they  should,  in  addition  to  good  cultivation,  be 
freely  manured  in  connexion  with  the  application  of  lime  or 
leached  ashes,  as  directed  already  under  the  head  of  Special 
Manures.  The  change  which  may  be  thus  wrought,  can 
hardly  be  understood  by  one  who  has  not  witnessed  the  result. 
The  following  experiment,  similar  in  nature,  but  differing 
in  the  mode  of  performance,  described  by  H.  W.  Rockwell, 
of  Utica,  N.Y.,  cannot  fail  to  be  interesting  :* 

*  Horticulturist,  Vol.  II.,  p.  267. 


124 


PRUNING    OLD    TREES. 


"  The  experiment  was  performed  upon  three  trees  stand- 
ing in  my  grounds,  none  of  which  were  less  than  thirty  years 
old.  One  of  these  trees,  an  old-fashioned  [Nevvtown]  Pippin, 
and  a  great  favorite,  had  borne  moderately;  the  other  two 
made  out  between  them,  to  "  get  up"  about  a  dozen  apples 
a  year,  just  to  let  me  know,  I  presume,  that  they  "  could 
do  it,"  but  were  perfectly  indifferent  how  it  was  done. 

"  I,  last  summer,  undertook  the  renovation  of  these  trees. 
For  this  purpose,  I  opened  between  them  trenches,  say  ten 
feet  in  length,  two  feet  in  depth,  and  about  eight  feet  equi- 
distant from  tree  to  tree.  The  roots  which  were  encoun- 
tered in  this  operation,  were,  of  course,  all  cut  off,  the 
trenches  filled  with  ivell  rotted  manure,  and  closed.  I 
finished  by  giving  each  of  the  trees  about  a  peck  of  char- 
coal mixed  with  the  same  quantity  of  ashes,  and  now  for 
the  result.  I  have  this  year  gathered  from  the  "  two  out- 
casts" just  mentioned,  instead  of  my  annual  dividend  of  a 
dozen  apples,  from  six  to  eight  bushels  a  piece  of  as  hand- 
some fruit  as  you  ever  saw,  with  about  the  same  propor- 
tion from  the  third,  which  has  always  been  a  moderate 
bearer." 

Pruning.     The  mode  of  treating  large  trees,  has  been 

already  adverted    to 
in    the    chapter    on 
pruning.    There  are 
some   owners  of  or- 
chards who  most  er- 
roneously     suppose 
that  when  trees  be- 
come old,  heavy  pru- 
ning     will     restore 
their  vigor  in  the  ab- 
sence of  good  culti- 
vation ;     while     the 
correct  mode  of  treat- 
merit,  is,  very  mode- 
rn 102.  rate  .   an?     gradual 
pruning  in   connex- 
ion with  the  best  of  cultivation.     The  foregoing  correct  por- 
traits of  actually  existing  specimens  of  bad  pruning,  unhappily 
have  too  many  originals  over  the  country ;  fig.   102.     This 


GRAFTING    OLD    TREES. 


125 


Fig.  1C3. 


most  unsightly  mode  of  trimming  is  often  adopted  when  a 
removal  of  the  top  by  grafting  is  intended. 

Grafting  new  tops  on  old  trees.  It  often  happens  that 
fruit  on  large  trees  is  worthless,  and  it  becomes  an  import- 
ant object  to  change  the  top  by  grafting  or  budding  it  with 
some  better  variety.  In  this  case,  instead  of  cutting  off 
large  branches  and  grafting  them  at  once,  it  is  better  to 
prune  the  top  in  part,  as  shown 
by  fig.  103,  which  will  cause  an 
emission  of  vigorous  shoots. — 
These  are  then  budded  or  grafted 
with  ease  and  success.  And,  as 
the  grafts  gradually  extend  by 
growth,  the  remainder  of  the  top 
may,  by  successive  excisions,  be 
entirely  removed.  Where  trees 
are  not  too  old,  and  the  ground  is 
kept  cultivated,  good  sized  trees 
are  thus  obtained  much  sooner 
than  by  setting  out  young  ones. 
To  give  a  well  shaped  head  to  such  newly  formed  trees, 
and  to  prevent  the  branches  from  shooting  upwards  in  a 
close  body  near  the  ceritre  of  the  tree,  the  old  horizontal 
boughs  should  be  allowed  to  extend  to  a  distance  in  each 
direction,  while  the  upright  ones  should  be  lopped.  This  is 
distinctly  exhibited  in  fig  103. 

The  following  judicious  mode  of  renewing  the  old  tops 
of  trees  formerly  regarded  as  worthless,  is  given  by  George 
Olmsted,  of  Hartford,  Ct.,  in  the  Horticulturist : — 

"  These  trees  I  commenced  grafting  six  years  ago  last 
spring.  I  began  on  the  top,  and  grafted  one-third  of  the  tree 
each  year.  It  therefore  required  three  years  to  complete  the 
entire  heads  of  the  trees. 

"  I  like  this  method  better  than  any  I  have  ever  tried  for 
grafting  large  trees,  as  it  gives  the  grafts  a  good  opportuni- 
ty to  get  well  started.  Cutting  off  and  grafting  the  top  first, 
gives  the  grafts  there  the  best  possible  chance,  while  the 
necessary  reduction  of  the  top  throws  the  sap  into  the  re- 
maining side  branches,  which  fits  them  well  for  grafting 
the  following  year ;  and  the  third  year,  the  lowest  branches 
being  made  ready  in  the  same  way,  may  be  grafted  success- 


126  GATHERING    AND    PRESERVING   APPLES. 

fully.  By  this  mode,  it  will  be  seen  that  when  the  grafts 
are  put  in  on  the  side  branches,  they  are  not  shaded  by  the 
heavy  shoots  above  them,  and  they  have  an  unusual  supply 
of  nourishment  to  carrry  them  forward.  Those  who  have 
attempted  to  graft  the  whole  head  of  a  large  tree  at  once, 
are  best  aware  of  the  great  difficulty  in  the  common  mode 
of  getting  the  grafts  to  take  on  the  side  limbs. 

"  One  of  these  large  trees  so  treated,  is  probably  more  than 
75  years  old,  and  has  now  an  entirely  new  and  vigorous 
head,  grafted  with  this  excellent  variety.  When  I  began 
with  it,  the  fruit  was  only  fit  for  cider,  and  it  was  question- 
able whether  the  tree  should  not  be  cut  down.  By  grafting 
it  in  this  manner,  I  have  added  surprisingly  to  its  value. 
Two  years  ago,  (the  bearing  year,)  I  obtained  from  it  10 
bushels  of  apples ;  last  year  eight  bushels,  and  this  year, 
(only  six  years  from  the  time  I  began  to  graft  it,)  I  gathered 
28£  bushels  of  excellent  fruit ! 

<;  I  consider  this  tree  now  worth  $100  ;  the  cost  of  grafting 
it  was  about  $5 ;  and  the  latter  was  all  repaid  two  years 
ago — the  first  season  the  grafts  bore  fruit." 

The  bearing  year  of  apple  trees  which  yield  excessive  crops, 
is  only  every  alternate  year ;  but  by  thinning  out  a  large 
portion  of  the  fruit  while  yet  small,  the  exhaustion  will  not 
be  so  great  as  to  render  the  tree  barren  the  second  season, 
and  it  will  bear  annually.  By  picking  off  all  the  young 
fruit,  the  bearing  year  may  be  entirely  changed,  or  one 
bough  may  be  made  to  bear  one  year,  and  another  bough 
the  second  year. 

GATHERING    AND    PRESERVING. 

It  is  of  great  consequence  in  gathering  all  kinds  of  fine 
fruit,  to  avoid  bruising ;  the  high  quality  of  some  sorts  is 
nearly  destroyed  by  carelessness,  and  they  are  rendered 
unfit  for  home  use  or  for  market.  Hence  careful  hand- 
picking  becomes  indispensible. 

Preserving  in  barrels  is  usually  most  convenient.  They 
should  be  filled  sufficiently  to  cause  a  slight  pressure  when 
the  barrel  head  is  put  in,  to  prevent  rattling  ;  and  the  bar- 
rels should  rest  on  their  sides  and  not  on  the  ends.  Winter 
fruit  has  been  preserved  with  great  success  and  with  much 
freshness,  by  alternating  the  layers  of  apples  in  the  barrel 


GATHERING   AND    PEESEEVING   APPLES.  127 

with  layers  of  dry  chaff  mixed  with  a  small  portion  of  dry 
pulverised  lime.  Apples  may  be  well  kept  till  spring,  if 
buried  late  in  autumn;  but  to  prevent  swelling,  cracking, 
and  a  loss  of  flavor,  they  should  be  placed  in  a  box  or  on  a 
bed  of  straw,  and  entirely  excluded  from  contact  with  the 
damp  earth.  Where  cool  cellars  are  at  hand,  they  are  kept 
best  for  winter  use  on  large  shelves. 

The  mode  of  gathering  and  packing  apples  for  exporta- 
tion, as  practiced  by  R.  L.  Pell,  of  Ulster  county,  N.  Y., 
who  obtains  nine  or  ten  dollars  per  barrel  for  his  Newtown 
Pippins  in  the  English  markets,  will  serve  as  a  model  for 
the  care  taken  to  prevent  bruising: — "In  autumn,  when  the 
apple  harvest  commences,  men  are  employed,  each  with  a 
hand  basket  and  hook,  to  attach  the  basket  to  a  limb  of  a 
tree,  and  a  step  ladder.  The  apples  are  picked  one  at  a 
time,  and  laid  into  the  basket.  When  the  basket  is  full 
the  man  cornes  down  from  the  tree  and  takes  two  apples  at 
at  a  time  and  places  them  in  two-bushel  baskets.  When 
there  are  enough  large  baskets  filled  for  a  load,  they  are 
lifted  by  two  men  on  a  sled,  and  drawn  by  oxen  to  a  large 
building,  where  they  are  taken  from  the  sled  and  put  on  the 
floor,  two  apples  at  a  time.  They  are  piled  up  18  or  20 
inches  high,  where  they  remain  three  weeks.  At  the  end 
of  this  time,  the  apples  having  become  dry,  they  are  taken 
Uvo  at  a  time  and  packed  in  new  barrels,  the  size  and  kind 
of  those  used  for  flour.  The  barrels  being  headed  up  are 
lifted  on  a  sled  and  drawn  to  the  North  River  ;  they  are 
then  carried  by  men  on  board  a  steamboat  and  taken  to 
New- York.  When  shipped  on  board  a  vessel  for  London, 
the  barrels  are  hoisted  one  at  a  time  from  the  steamboat, 
and  when  lowered  on  board  the  vessel  are  caught  on  a  man's 
shoulder,  and  then  taken  by  two  men  and  placed  in  the 
coolest  part  of  the  vessel. 

"  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  in  London,  the  barrels  are 
hoisted  from  the  vessel  and  lowered  on  a  hand-barrow,  and 
then  carried  by  two  men  to  the  warehouse,  in  the  same 
manner  that  we  carry  a  looking-glass. 

"  It  is  seen  that  by  the  foregoing  precautions  the  apples  are 
never  shaken,  jolted,  or  jarred,  and  they  arrive  in  London 
in  far  better  order  than  apples  usually  taken  to  our  city  mar- 
kets. 


6* 


128 


INSECTS  INJURIOUS  TO  APPLES. 


"Apples  for  shipping  have  sometimes  been  packed  in  char- 
coal dust,  dry  sand, — and  at  other  times  separately  wrapped 
in  paper,  in  the  same  manner  as  oranges  are  shipped, — but 
they  can  be  shipped  with  as  much  success  without  anything 
with  them,  if  only  managed  with  care  in  other  respects. 

"  In  shipping  fruit,  none  but  the  very  best  should  be  sent ; 
all  that  are  small,  imperfect,  or  the  least  bruised,  should  be 
rejected.  Those  persons  who  pay  from  nine  to  twenty-one 
dollars  per  barrel  for  apples,  expect  to  have  the  best.*" 


DESTRUCTIVE    INSECTS. 


7he.  Caterpillar,  (Clisiocampa  Americana.)  This  has 
been  a  most  serious  enemy  to  the  apple  in  most  parts  of 
the  country.  It  has  its  seasons  of  increase  and  decrease. 
Some  years  it  has  nearly  stripped  whole  orchards  ;  and 
again  it  has  diminished  in  numbers  in  successive  years,  till 
few  could  be  found. 

There  are  many  species  which  feed  on  the  apple  leaf; 
but  the  only  one  of  importance,  is  that  known  as  the  com" 
mon  orchard  caterpillar,  which  is  hatched  in  spring  as  soon 
as  the  leaf  buds  begin  to  open.  At  this  time,  it  is  not  the 
tenth  of  an  inch  long,  nor  so  large  as  a 
cambric  needle,  but  it  continues  to  increase 
constantly  in  size  for  several  weeks,  until 
two  inches  long  and  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
in  diameter.  It  then  spins  a  cocoon  and 
passes  to  the  pupa  state.  In  the  latter  part 
of  summer,  it  comes  out  a  yellowish 
brown  miller,  lays  its  eggs  and  dies.  The 
eggs  are  deposited  in  cylinders  or  rings, 
containing  three  to  five  hundred  each, 
encircling  the  smaller  branches,  and 
usually  within  a  few  inches  of  the  ex- 
tremity. The  accompanying  figure  (fig. 
104,)  represents  one  of  these  masses  of 
eggs  of  the  natural  size.  They  remain 
through  winter,  protected  from  the  wea- 
ther by  a  vesicular  water-proof  varnish,  and 
hatch  in  spring,  as  just  stated.  Each  collec- 
tion of  eggs,  makes  a  nest  of  caterpillars. 

»  B.  G.  Boswell. 


Fig.  104. 


INSECTS    INJURIOUS    TO    APPLES.  129 

One  nest  is  enough  to  defoliate  a  large  branch,  and  when 
several  are  on  a  tree,  the  size  and  quality  of  the  fruit  is 
seriously  lessened. 

The  best  mode  for  their  destruction,  is  to  cut  off  the  small 
branches  which  hold  the  eggs  during  autumn  or  winter, 
and  commit  them  to  the  fire.  The  most  convenient  imple- 
ment is  a  long  pole,  armed  with  a  pair  of  clipping-shears, 
worked  by  a  cord  ;  or  a  sharp  hooked  knife,  on  the  end  of 
a  pole,  will  answer  nearly  as  well.  The  eggs  are  seen  at  a 
glance,  after  a  little  practice ;  a  cloudy  day  should  be 
selected  to  prevent  pain  to  the  eyes.  If  this  work  is  done  just 
at  the  moment  the  eggs  are  hatching,  it  will  be  equally 
efficacious,  and  the  webs  or  downy  covering  of  the  young 
insect?,  render  them  conspicuous.  Every  nest  of  eggs  thus 
removed,  which  is  done  in  a  few  seconds,  totally  prevents 
a  nest  of  caterpillars  in  the  spring,  and  is  far  more  expe- 
ditious and  effectual  than  the  usual  modes  of  brushing  off 
the  caterpillars  with  poles,  brushes,  or  washing  them  with 
soap-suds,  ley,  or  white-wash. 

The  Borer.  (Saperda  bivittata.)  This  insect  enters  the 
tree  and  cuts  into  the  solid  wood  near  the  surface  of  the 
earth.  It  is  a  dangerous  enemy ;  for  while  only  a  few  small 
holes  are  perceived  in  the  bark  outside,  it  may  have  per- 
forated the  wood  internally  in  all  directions  and  reduced  it 
to  a  mass  of  powder. 

It  has  not  yet  become  very  extensively  spread,  but  in 
some  parts  of  the  country  it  has  become  a  most  serious 
evil,  and  has  been  allowed  to  multiply  till  it  has  destroyed 
whole  orchards. 

The  perfect  insect  is  a  brown  and  white  striped  beetle, 
about  half  an  inch  long,  which  flies  at  night.  It  deposits 
its  eggs  late  in  spring  or  the  first  of  summer,  in  the  bark 
near  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  sometimes  in  the  forks 
of  the  branches.  The  first  indication  of  its  presence,  is  the 
appearance  of  numerous  small  round  holes,  as  if  the  bark 
had  been  perforated  by  buck-shot.  These  holes  will  soon 
become  more  visible  by  the  ejected  dust. 

It  is  nearly  impossible  to  save  a  tree,  unless  taken  early. 
At  the  first, "the  insect  may  be  cut  out  with  the  point  of  a 
knife.  If  deeper  in  the  wood,  it  may  be  extracted  by  a 
flexible  barbed  wire,  or  punched  to  death  in  its  hole  by 


130  INSECTS  INJURIOUS  TO  APPLES. 

a  flexible  twig.  To  prevent  the  insect  from  emerging  and 
laying  its  eggs,  it  is  doubly  important  that  this  be  done 
early  in  the  spring  ;  but  the  trees  should  be  repeatedly 
examined  at  other  periods  of  the  year. 

To  prevent  the  entrance  of  the  borer,  remove  the  soil  a 
little  about  the  roots,  and  then  wash  the  whole  trunk  and 
larger  forks  of  the  branches,  with  a  mixture  of  tobacco 
water,  soft  soap,  and  flour  of  sulphur.  The  proportions  are, 
a  pint  of  the  sulphur,  a  gallon  of  soft  soap,  and  enough 
tobacco  water  to  reduce  the  whole  to  the  consistence  of 
paint.  This  should  be  done  in  spring,  before  the  insect 
lays  its  eggs.  It  is  stated  by  A.  J.  Downing,  that  this  mix- 
ture is  so  offensive  to  the  insect  in  its  winged  state,  that  no 
tree  was  touched  which  had  been  coated  with  it ; — although 
the  coating  had  been  on  for  several  weeks.  He  also  recom- 
mends injecting,  by  a  syringe,  this  liquid  into  the  holes; 
and  plugging  up  the  holes  in  spring  with  pieces  of  soft  pine 
dipped  in  tobacco  water,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  perfect 
insect. 

Not  only  the  apple  tree,  but  the  quince,  mountain  ash, 
and  hawthorn,  suffer  greatly  from  the  attacks  of  this  insect. 
The   Canker   worm.        (Anisopteryx   pometaria.)      This 
caterpillar  appears  to  have  been  as 
yet  chiefly  confined  in  its  destructive 
ravages,  to  portions  of  New-England. 
The  accompanying  figures  represent 
the    perfect    insect,    the    male    with 
wings,  the  female  nearly  destitute. 
(Fig.    105.)     The  canker  worm  at- 
tacks   both   fruit  and  leaves ;  when 
numerous,  the  small  webs  they  make, 
added    to    the    destruction    of    the 
foliage,  give  the  tree  the  appearance 
Fig.  105.  of  having  been  scorched.     The  re- 

medies consist  in  various  contrivances  to  prevent  the  female 
insects  ascending  the  tree,  but  none  have  been  yet  dis- 
covered of  easy,  safe,  and  effectual  application.  One  of  the 
best  is  to  encircle  the  trunk  with  a  canvass  belt,  coated 
with  a  mixture  of  tar  and  train  oil.  The  mixture  needs 
repeatedly  renewing.  Applying  the  tar  directly  to  the  bark 
endangers  the  life  of  the  tree. 


INSECTS  INJURIOUS  TO  APPLES. 


131 


The  Apple-worm,  (Carpocapsa  pnmonana,)  attacks  the  fruit, 
oy  entering  at  the  blossom,  and  feeding  at  the  core.  In  some 


Fig.  106. 

years,  it  has  been  so  common,  as  seriously  to  injure  the 
quality  of  the  crop.  The  best  preventive  is  to  allow  swine 
to  pick  up  the  wormy  fruit  as  it  falls,  thus  destroying  the 
enclosed  insect,  and  preventing  its  spread. 

The  above  figures,  (106,)  exhibit  the  apple-worm  in  its 
different  stages ;  a,  the  larva;  &,  the  same  magnified;  c, 
the  cocoon  ;  <f,  the  pupa  within  the  cocoon ;  e,  /,  the  perfect 
insects;  g,  the  young  larva,  just  hatched,  after  having  been 
deposited  within  the  calyx  ;  h,  i,  k,  /,  the  progressive  work 
of  the  larva  within  the  apple,  till  it  escapes.* 

The  Wooly  Aphis,  (Aphis  lanigera,)  a  European  insect, 
falsely  termed  American  blight,  is  a  species  of  aphis  or 
plant-louse,  covered  with  long,  white,  cottony  hair.  In 
England  it  has  proved  very  destructive  ;  and  on  young  trees 
in  this  country  it  has  done  some  injury.  It  is  destroyed 
by  whale-oil  soap,  and  by  lime-wash.  Other  species  of 
aphis  often  infest  the  young  leaves ;  they  are  easily  killed 
by  a  solution  of  whale-oil  soap,  which  may  be  applied  by  a 
syringe  or  by  immersing  the  branches. 

*  The  curcnlio  or  plum  weevil,  when  very  numerous,  attacks  the  apple,  nnd  its  pe- 
culiar <-re?ceiir-'haped  incision*  may  be  perceived  on  the  skin  of  tender  varieties. 
The  larva,  however,  rarely  readies  the  core.  But  the  apple  worm  never  attacks  the 
plum,  which  has  no  permanent  calyx  for  the  lodgment  of  its  eggs. 


132  EFFECT    OF    CLIMATE    AND    SOIL. 

The  Blight,  which  sometimes  kills  the  terminal  shoots  of 
the  branches,  has  been  variously  ascribed  to  the  sting  of  an 
insect,  and  to  the  effects  of  weather.  The  cause  does  not 
appear  to  have  been  satisfactorily  ascertained.  It  rarely 
proves  a  formidable  disaster,  although  trees  are  occasionally 
much  disfigured  by  it,  and  temporarily  checked  in  growth. 
The  Bark-louse  (a  species  of  Coccus)  which  infests  the  bark 
of  apple  and  pear  trees,  may  be  destroyed  by  soap- wash  or 
ley,  applied  early  in  summer. 

THE    DEPREDATIONS    OF    MICE, 

May  be  prevented  by  a  small  mound  or  bank  of  fresh  earth, 
thrown  up  to  the  height  of  a  foot  around  each  tree,  late  in 
autumn,  to  be  removed  in  spring.  Trees  laid-in  or  buried 
in  a  trench  for  keeping  through  winter,  are  sometimes  seri- 
ously injured  by  the  attacks  of  mice.  This  may  be  safely 
guarded  against  by  placing  the  trees  more  nearly  in  an  up- 
right position,  and  banking  up  a  foot  high  on  all  sides. 

CHANGES    WROUGHT    BY    CLIMATE    AND    SOIL. 

This  subject  has  been  treated,  as  applied  to  fruits  gene- 
rally in  a  former  part  of  this  work  ;  a  few  brief  remarks  on 
the  variations  in  the  apple  may  be  interesting. 

The  winter  apples  of  the  northern  states,  when  cultivated 
further  south,  are  changed  to  autumn  apples ;  and  as  far 
south  as  Georgia,  some  of  our  good  keepers  ripen  nearly  by 
the  end  of  summer.  The  Baldwin  and  Rhode  Island  Green- 
ing at  Cincinnati  and  at  St.  Louis,  cease  to  be  winter  fruits. 
There  are  few  or  none  of  the  northern  apples  which  succeed 
well  as  keepers  as  far  south  as  Carolina.  This  is  owing  to 
the  long  southern  summers.  It  has  been  found  that  varie- 
ties originated  in  the  southern  states  are  generally  best 
adapted  to  the  climate  of  that  region. 

Some  varieties  are  greatly  influenced  by  a  change  of  cli- 
mate, and  others  but  slightly.  The  Ribston  Pippin,  so  ex- 
cellent at  Montreal,  is  of  little  value  a  few  degrees  further 
south.  The  Rhode  Island  Greening  and  the  Roxbury  Rus- 
set, on  suitable  so;ls,  throughout  New- York  and  New-Eng- 
land, present  the  same  characteristics  of  flavor  and  appear- 
ance ;  the  Baldwin,  so  fine  at  the  east,  greatly  deteriorates 


EFFECT  OF  CLIMATE  AXD  SOIL.  133 

in  northern  Ohio ;  and  the  Belmont,  which  has  been  pro- 
nounced the  most  valuable  of  all  apples  at  Cleveland,  is  un- 
worthy of  cultivation  at  Cincinnati.  These  changes  in 
the  latter  instances,  are  however  to  be  ascribed  to  a  difference 
in  soil ;  and  the  application  of  special  manures,  as  lime 
potash,  &c.,  on  those  unfavorable  soils,  has  restored  their 
quality.  The  periods  of  ripening,  given  in  the  following 
pages,  are  intended  to  apply  to  the  northern  states.  A  dif- 
erence  of  about  two  or  three  weeks  exists  between  fruits 
cultivated  at  Boston  and  Rochester,  and  in  central  Ohio  and 
southern  Pennsylvania,  and  other  differences  of  latitude 
nearly  in  the  same  ratio. 


VARIETIES. 

SYNOPSIS    OF   ARRANGEMENT. 

Division   I.     SUMMER  APPLES. 

Class   I.     Sweet  Apples. 

Section   I.  Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

Class  II.     With  more  or  less  acidity. 

Section  I.    Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

Division  II.     AUTUMN  APPLES. 

Class   I.     Sweet  Apples. 

Section   I.  Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

Class  II.      With  more  or  less  acidity. 

Section   I.  Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

Division  III.     WINTER  APPLES. 

Class    I.     Sweet  Apples. 

Section    I.   Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

Class  II.     With,  more  or  less  acidity. 

Section   I.  Color  striped  with  red. 
Section  II.  Color  not  striped. 

The  characteristics  which  constitute  these  division!  ind 
subdivisions,  are  not  in  all  cases  perfectly  distinct,  bjm- 
mer  apples  gradually  pass  into  autumn,  and  autumn  into 
winter  apples.  A  few,  but  the  number  is  extremely  small, 


SUMMER    APPLES.  135 

possess  nearly  a  neutral  flavor  between  a  dead  sweetness 
and  slight  acidity.  Again,  apples  classed  with  those  that 
are  striped,  sometimes  present  a  nearly  uniform  shade  of 
red  ;  and,  in  rare  instances,  the  brown  cheek  of  a  green 
or  yellow  variety  exhibits  faint  stripes. 

But  these  may  be  regarded  rather  as  exceptions  to  general 
characters,  which  are  on  the  whole  as  clearly  defined  as  any 
other  distinctive  points  of  the  different  varieties.  Controll- 
ing- circumstances  will  produce  changes  in  all  fruits,  and 
descriptions  are  not  founded  on  extreme  exceptions,  but  on 
average  characteristics. 

The  SIZE  is  designated  by  comparison  ; — for  example,  the 
S\vaar  and  Baldwin  are  large;  Herefordshire  Pearmain 
and  Tallman  Sweeting  are  medium  ;  English  Golden 
Pippin  and  Lady  Apple  are  small.  Qualifying  terms  give 
a  more  precise  meaning, — as  the  Fall  Pippin  and  Monstrous 
Pippin,  are  very  large ;  Hawley  and  Dutch  Mignonne,  are 
quite  large;  Bullock's  Pippin  and  Early  Strawberry  are 
rather  small ;  and  the  Siberian  Crab  is  very  small. 


DIVISION  I.—  SUMMER  APPLES. 

CLASS  I. — SWEET  APPLES. 
Section  I. —  Striped  with  red. 

Red  and  Green  Sweet.  Very  large,  long  conical ;  striped 
with  light  red ;  stalk  short,  basin  narrow,  flesh  sweet, 
with  a  second  or  third  rate  flavor.  Baking.  Late 
summer. 

Section  II. — Not  striped. 

BOUGH.  (Syn.  Large  Yellow  Bough,  Sweet  Bough, 
Early  Sweet  Bough.)  Large,  roundish,  remotely  conical- 
ovate,  sometimes  distinctly  conical ;  pale  greenish  yellow, 
stalk  one-half  to  an  inch  long,  basin  narrow,  deep ;  flesh 
white,  very  tender,  with  an  excellent  sweet  flavor.  Kipens 
from  the  middle  to  the  end  of  summer.  A  moderate  atid 
regular  bearer.  Shoots  yellowish,  somewhat  irregular, 
ascending ;  tree  round-headed ;  leaves  obtusely  crenate. 


136  SUMMER    APPLES. 


GOLDEN  SWEET.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish, 
slightly  flattened;  greenish,  becoming  pale  yellow;  stalk 
an  inch  or  more  long,  slender  ;  cavity  acuminate  ;  basin 
moderate  ;  flesh  very  sweet,  good,  hardly  first  rate.  The 
fruit  is  always  fair,  the  tree  a  free  grower,  and  very  pro- 
ductive. Buds  large;  leaves  sharply  serrate.  Late  in 
summer.  Valuable  for  domestic  animals. 

Spice  Sweeting.  Large,  roundish,  flattened  at  ends  ;  color 
whitish  green,  becoming  whitish  yellow,  with  white  specks 
beneath  the  skin  ;  stalk  rather  short  and  thick  ;  basin  very 
smooth  and  round,  wide  and  distinct,  rim  quite  obtuse 
flesh  rather  firm,  very  sweet,  but  not  wholly  pleasant. 
A  good  baking  apple,  but  very  subject  to  black  spots  or 
scabs.  Late  summer  and  early  autumn.  Cultivated 
in  New-  York  and  New-England.  There  are  several 
sorts  known  by  this  name. 

CLASS  II.  —  WITH  MORE  OR  LESS  ACIDITY. 
Section  I.  —  Striped  with  red. 

AMERICAN  SUMMER  PEARMAIN.  (Syn.  Early  Summei 
Pearmain,  of  Coxe.)  Medium  in  size,  oblong,  slightly 
inclining  to  truncate-conical  ;  nearly  covered  with  fine 
broken  streaks  and  dots  of  red  ;  stalk  nearly  one  inch 
long  ;  basin  round,  even,  distinct  ;  very  tender,  often 
bursts  in  falling,  sub-acid,  flavor  fine.  Continues  to 
ripen  for  several  weeks  in  late  summer  and  early 
autumn.  Needs  good  and  rich  cultivation.  Growth 
rather  slow.  This  is  distinct  from  the  English  Summer 
or  Autumn  Pearmain,  in  its  larger  size,  higher  red,  more 
oblong  form,  and  superior  quality. 

Benoni.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  sometimes  obscurely 
conical  ;  deep  red,  in  distinct  broken  stripes  and  dots  ; 
stalk  half  an  inch  long  ;  basin  small  ;  flesh  yellow,  ten- 
der, rich,  sub-acid,  of  good  flavor.  Late  summer.  Good 
bearer.  Has  not  succeeded  well  in  all  localities.  A 
native  of  Dedham,  Mass. 

Sevan's  Favorite.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  slightly 
flattened,  obscurely  conical;  color  with  broad  distinct 
brilliant  red  stripes  ;  stalk  long,  rather  stout  ;  cavity 


SUMMER    APPLES.  137 

shallow,  rather  obtuse ;  calyx  large,  basin  slightly  plaited ; 
flesh  rather  firm,  flavor  pleasant  and  sub-acid.  Two  weeks 
later  than  Early  Harvest.  A  native  of  New  Jersey.  Suc- 
ceeds better  .at  Cleveland  and  in  New  Jersey  than  in 
western  New- York. 

Borovitsky.  Roundish,  slightly  angular ;  pale  green,  trans- 
lucent, sunny  side  faintly  striped ;  basin  large ;  flesh 
white,  firm,  juicy,  sub-acid,  agreeable.  Late  summer. 
Russian. 

Cole.  (Syn.  Scarlet  Perfume.)  Medium  in  size,  roundish- 
flattened,  sometimes  slightly  conical ;  bright  crimson  in 
obscure  stripes  ;  stalk  slender ;  basin  broad ;  sub-acid, 
second  rate  flavor.  Late  summer.  English. 

Devonshire  Quarrenden.  (Syn.  Red  Quarrenden.)  Size 
medium,  variable;  round-oblate,  remotely  conical ;  striped 
with  rich  crimson ;  stalk  short,  deep  set ;  basin  very 
shallow,  plaited  ;  flesh  crisp,  juicy,  sub-acid,  pleasant, 
second  rate.  Late  summer  and  early  autumn.  English. 

Early  Chandler.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  slightly 
flattened,  striped  light  rich  red  or  greenish  yellow ;  stalk 
half  an  inch  long ;  basin  rather  wide,  shallow,  wrinkled ; 
rather  acid,  not  rich,  second  rate,  flesh  very  tender,  skin 
thin.  Variable  in  appearance.  Middle  to  end  of  summer. 
Growth  erect,  vigorous.  Origin,  Conn.  ;  cultivated 
mostly  in  Ohio. 

EARLY  JOE.  Size  medium  or  rather  small ;  oblate,  some- 
times obscurely  approaching  conical ;  smooth  and  regular ; 
color,  with  numerous  short,  broken,  red  stripes  on  yellow 
ground,  a  nearly  uniform  deep  red  to  the  sun,  with  con- 
spicuous white  specks  ;  stem  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
long,  rather  thick  ;  cavity  shallow,  acute ;  basin  small, 
even  ;  flesh  fine  grained,  very  tender,  slightly  crisp,  juicy, 
sub-acid,  spicy,  excellent.  Ripens  the  last  two  weeks  of 
summer.  Shoots  dark,  growth  slow.  A  profuse  bearer. 
Origin,  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y. 

Early  Rtd  Margaret.  (Syn.  Red  Juneating,  Striped  June, 
ating,  Early  Red  Juneating.)  Rather  small,  round-ovate, 
lightly  striped  with  dull  red,  and  somewhat  russetedj 


138 


SUMMER    APPLES. 


SUMMER    APPLES.  139 

stalk  half  an  inch  long,  thick  ;  basin  plaited,  narrow,  very- 
shallow  ;  flesh  sub-acid,  tender,  good  when  fresh.  Ri- 
pens at  wheat  harvest,  scarcely  earlier  than  Early  Har- 
vest. Shoots  erect,  downy.  Moderate  bearer. 

EARLY  STRAWBERRY.  (Syn.  American  Red  Juneating,  of 
Manniyig.)  Rather  small,  roundish,  varying  to  round- 
ovate,  and  sometimes  quite  conical;  surface  indistinctly 
and  finely  striped  with  bright  and  deep  red,  tinging  faint- 
ly the  flesh ;  stalk  tender,  three-quarters  to  an  inch  and  a 
half  long  ;  basin  small  and  narrow  ;  flesh  white,  tender, 
sub-acid,  rather  brisk,  pleasant,  not  very  rich.  Ripens 
one  to  three  weeks  later  than  Yellow  Harvest.  Growth, 
very  erect ;  leaves  erect,  finely  crenate.  Productive.  Good 
in  all  localities. 

GARDEN  ROYAL.  Below  medium,  roundish,  slightly  flat- 
tened at  ends,  even  and  regular  ;  surface  with  small,  bro- 
ken, red  stripes  on  yellow  ground,  deep  red  to  the  sun  ; 
stalk  short,  or  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slen- 
der, cavity  acute  ;  calyx  large,  open  ;  basin  very  shallow; 
flesh  yellowish-white,  exceedingly  tender  and  fine  grained; 
flavor  mild,  sub-acid,  fine.  A  poor  grower,  cut  a  first- 
rate  dessert  fruit.  Late  summer.  Origin,  Sudbury,  Mass. 

Irish  Peach.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  slightly  flattened, 
obtusely  ribbed  ;  yellowish  green,  washed  and  streaked 
with  brownish-red  ;  stalk  short ;  flesh  white  ;  flavor  second 
rate,  sometimes  third  rate 

June  Apple,  of  Virginia.  Size  medium ;  striped  with 
red  ;  stalk  attached  to  a  large  protuberance  on  one  side 
of  the  cavity ;  flesh  white.  Growth  vigorous,  a  profuse 
bearer  alternate  years.  Ripens  in  southern  Virginia  the 
last  of  6th  month,  (June.) 

River.  Size  medium  or  large,  slightly  oblate,  ribbed  ;  color 
yellowish-green  in  the  shade,  purplish-red,  striped  with 
darker  red,  next  the  sun,  with  some  blue  'bloom  ;  cavity 
deep  ;  flesh  greenish-white,  juicy,  a  little  coarse,  pleasant, 
sub-acid,  variable  in  quality,  often  fine.  Tre°  of  vigo- 
rous growth,  a  poor  bearer.  After  Early  Harvest.  Mass. 


140 


SUMMER    APPLES. 


SUMMER    APPLES.  141 

Sops  of  Wine.  Small,  roundish-conical,  deep  crimson, 
stalk  slender,  flesh  white,  stained  with  pink,  firm,  crisp, 
juicy,  sub-acid,  pleasant.  A  very  pretty,  good  second- 
rate  fruit.  Tree  becoming  spreading.  Late  summer  and 
Early  Autumn. 

Summer  Hagloe.  Size  medium,  roundish-oblate  ;  streaked 
with  bright  red  on  yellow  ground ;  stalk  rather  short  and 
thick  ;  flesh  very  soft,  rich,  of  fine  quality.  Ripens  at  the 
end  of  summer — an  excellent  culinary  variety.  Shoots 
dark,  strong,  thick  ;  terminal  buds  very  large. 

This  is  wholly  distinct  from  the  Hagloe  Crab,  a  late,  small, 
ill-shaped,  ovate  fruit,  cultivated  only  for  cider. 

Summer  Queen.  Rather  large,  roundish-conical,  somewhat 
ribbed ;  striped  with  bright  red  on  rich  yellow  ground ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long;  cavity  small,  acute ;  basin 
small,  furrowed ;  flesh  yellowish,  rather  acid,  spicy,  very 
rich.  Fine  for  cooking.  Late  summer.  Good  on  warm, 
sandy  soils,  poor  on  cold  clay.  Shoots  light  colored,  leaves 
finely  crenate. 

The  Early  Pennock,  of  Ohio,  resembles  the  Summer 
Queen,  but  is  much  larger,  and  inferior  in  quality. 

Summer  Rambour.  (Sy?i.  Rambour  d'Ete,  Rambour  Franc.) 
Medium  or  large  oblate,  pale  greenish  yellow,  slightly 
streaked  with  red ;  stalk  short  ;  calyx  large,  deep  set ; 
slightly  sub-acid,  good.  Middle  to  late  summer.  Good 
bearer.  Dry,  if  over- ripe.  Of  French  origin. 

SUMMER  ROSE.  (Syn.  Woolman's Early,  Woolman's  Striped 
Harvest.)  Medium  or  rather  small,  roundish-oblate; 
yellowish,  blotched  and  streaked  with  red ;  stalk  rather 
short ;  basin  round,  slightly  plaited ;  flesh  very  tender, 
slightly  crisp,  texture  fine,  mild  sub-acid,  juicy,  excellent. 
Begins  to  ripen  with  wheat  harvest,  and  continues  a 
month.  Fine  in  all  localities.  Better  in  quality  for  the 
table  than  Early  Harvest,  but  less  productive. 

Tetofsky.  Size  medium  ;  roundish,  or  round-oblong ;  hand- 
somely striped  red  on  yellow  ground  ;  flesh  white,  juicy, 
sub-acid,  good  second  rate.  End  of  summer.  Russian. 


142  SUMMER    APPLES. 

WILLIAMS'  FAVORITE.  (Syn.  Williams,  Williams'  Red, 
Williams'  Favorite  Red.)  Size  medium,  sometimes  rather 
large  ;  oblong-ovate,  remotely  conical,  very  smooth  ;  color, 
mostly  fine  dark  crimson  stripes ;  stalk  three-quarters  to 
one  inch  long,  enlarged  at  insertion,  cavity  shallow  ;  ba- 
sin small  and  shallow,  even  or  somewhat  ribbed;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  moderately  juicy,  with  sometimes  a  tinge 
of  red  near  the  surface,  mild,  agreeable,  fine.  Ripens  for 
several  weeks  late  in  summer.  Its  handsome  appearance 
has  partly  contributed  to  its  high  reputation.  Origin, 
Roxbury,  Mass. 

Section  H.—Not  Striped. 

Buffington's  Early.  Medium  or  rather  small ;  oblate,  slight- 
ly ribbed  ;  surface  smooth  yellowish  white,  with  a  faint 
blush;  cavity  wide,  deep;  basin  shallow,  slightly  furrowed; 
flesh  very  tender  and  delicate,  with  a  rich,  sub-acid,  ex- 
cellent flavor.  Two  weeks  later  than  Yellow  Harvest. 
Equalled  in  quality  by  few  summer  apples,  but  a  mode- 
rate bearer.  Origin  unknown. 

EARLY  HARVEST.  (Syn.  Yellow  Harvest,  Prince's  Har- 
vest, Early  French  Reinette,  July  Pippin.)  Size  medi- 
um, roundish,  usually  more  or  less  oblate,  smooth;  bright 
straw  color,  when  ripe  ;  stalk  rather  short  and  slender ; 
calyx  moderately  sunk  ;  flesh  nearly  white,  flavor  rather 
acid,  fine.  Ripens  at  wheat  harvest,  and  for  three  weeks 
afterwards.  Shoots  erect,  slightly  diverging,  straight, 
often  forked.  Very  productive.  Needs  rich  cultivation 
to  be  fine.  Good  throughout  the  northern  states. 

The  Tart  Bough  is  similar,  but  two  weeks  later,  and  infe- 
rior in  quality ;  the  growth  more  vigorous  and  upright. 

July  Branch,  of  Virginia.  Size  medium;  bright  ye'low, 
very  handsome  ;  flesh  yellow,  flavor  sprightly.  Bears  al- 
ternate years,  and  moderately  in  the  intermediate  years. 
Growth  luxuriant.  Ripens  in  southern  Virginia  at  mid- 
summer. 

Lymaris  Large  Summer.  Large,  roundish,  flattened  at 
ends ;  pale  yellow ;  sub-acid,  high  flavored,  rather  fine  in 


SUMMER    APPLES.  143 

quality.     Ripens  at  the  end  of  summer."    Tree    a  poor 
bearer  till  large.     Conn. 

Mank's  Codlin.  Size  medium ;  roundish,  oblong-ovate  ; 
pale  yellow,  with  an  orange  blush ;  stalk  fleshy  ;  basin 
shallow,  plaited  ;  flesh  firm,  brisk,  sub-acid.  Culinary. 
English. 

Oslin.  Rather  small,  roundish-oblate,  lemon  yellow  min- 
gled with  some  green ;  stalk  short,  thick,  cavity  rather 
shallow ;  basin  shallow,  a  little  plaited ;  flesh  fine,  crisp ; 
flavor  spicy,  good,  hardly  first-rate. 

RED  ASTRACHAN.  Rather  large,  sometimes  quite  large, 
roundish-oblate,  slightly  approaching  conical,  rather 
smooth ;  nearly  whole  surface  brilliant  deep  crimson, 
with  a  thick  bloom  like  a  plum ;  stalk  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long  ;  calyx  in  a  small  slightly  uneven 
basin;  flesh  white,  rather  crisp;  good,  rather  acid,  very 
slightly  austere.  A  few  days  after  Early  Harvest.  Ex- 
cellent for  cooking.  Shoots  stout,  dark  brown,  diverg- 
ing and  ascending;  leaves  broad.  This  apple,  although 
of  second-rate  flavor,  is  rendered  by  its  earliness  and  very 
handsome  and  fair  appearance,  by  the  vigor  and  pro- 
ductiveness of  the  tree,  and  its  excellent  culinary  quali- 
ties, worthy  of  general  cultivation. 

SINE  QUA  NON.  Size  medium  ;  roundish?  inclining  to  co- 
nical ;  smooth,  pale  greenish  yellow,  shaded  with  reddish 
brown  to  the  sun ;  stalk  quite  slender,  nearly  an  inch 
long ;  basin  smooth  or  very  slightly  plaited  ;  flesh  green- 
ish white,  fine  grained,  delicate,  very  tender,  moderately 
juicy,  of  a  fine,  agreeable,  sub-acid  flavor.  Shoots  green- 
ish yellow,  growth  slow ;  fruit  always  fair,  tree  very  pro- 
ductive. Ripens  two  weeks  after  Early  Harvest.  Origin, 
Long  Island. 

SUMMER  BELLFLOWER.  Rather  above  medium,  round-ovate, 
slightly  oblong  and  conical,  yellow,  with  sometimes  a 
faint  orange  blush,  stalk  an  inch  long-,  cavity  shallow ; 
basin  small,  smooth,  slightly  five-sided ;  flesh  white,  fine- 
grained, tender,  rich,  sub-acid,  fine.  Shoots  vigorous, 
upright;  bears  well  every  year.  Origin,  Dutchess  county, 
N.  Y.  New. 

7 


144  AUTUMN    APPLES. 

Summer  Golden  Pippin.  Small,  ovate,  flattened  at  apex ; 
bright  yellow,  stalk  short ;  flesh  firm,  crisp,  and  rich. 
Last  of  summer.  English. 

Sugar  Loaf  Pippin.  Rather  large,  long  ovate-conical,  regu- 
lar, handsome,  smooth,  pale  yellowish  white;  stalk  short, 
sub-acid,  second  or  third  rate.  Admired  in  England; 
valueless  here. 

White  Astrachan.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  slightly  coni- 
cal, ribbed  at  apex,  smooth,  nearly  white ;  stalk  thick 
and  short ;  flesh  white,  pellucid,  sub-acid,  dry.  Of  little 
value  here  ;  fine  in  England.  Russian. 

White  Juneati?ig.  (Syn.  Bracken,  of  Ohio.)  Small,  round, 
sometimes  slightly  oblate,  smooth,  very  regular;  pale 
greenish  yellow,  or  light  yellow ;  very  thin  russet  round 
the  stalk ;  stalk  slender,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  long, 
set  shallow ;  basin  very  shallow ;  tender,  sub-acid,  not 
rich,  becoming  dry,  second  or  third  rate  flavor.  Ripens  a 
little  before  Yellow  Harvest.  Growth  upright,  rather 
stout.  Productive.  For  cooking  only. 

The  May  apple,  of  Virginia,  is  a  fruit  similar  in  character 
and  quality  to  the  White  Juneating,  where  it  ripens  about 
the  first  of  summer,  bearing  every  year.  Large  quanti- 
ties are  sent  to  Baltimore  for  tarts. 


DIVISION  II.— AUTUMN  APPLES 

CLASS  I. — SWEET  APPLES. 
Section  I. —  Striped  with  red. 

Beauty  of  the  West.  Large,  round,  smooth,  marked  with 
small  stripes  of  red  on  greenish  yellow;  stalk  short; 
sweet,  second  rate. 

Blenheim  Pippin.  (Syn.  Woodstock  Pippin,  Bleinhim 
Orange.)  Large,  roundish-conical ;  mottled  and  striped 
orange-red  on  yellow  ground  ;  stalk  short ;  sweet,  second 
or  third  rate  flavor.  Used  for  baking.  English. 


AUTUMN    APPLES.  145 

Graniwinkle.  Size,  medium ;  roundish,  slightly  oblong, 
dark  red,  somewhat  rough,  flesh  yellowish  orange,  sweet, 
rich.  Cider.  N.  Jersey.  Late  autumn  and  early  winter. 

JERSEY  SWEETING.  Size,  medium ;  round-ovate,  often 
oblong-ovate,  somewhat  conical ;  thickly  striped  with  fine 
red  on  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  one-half  to  an  inch  long  ; 
cavity  rather  irregular ;  basin  wrinkled,  distinct ;  flesh 
whitish,  very  sweet,  juicy  and  tender,  good  second  rate 
or  nearly  first  rate  in  flavor.  Good  in  all  localities.  Early 
and  mid-autumn — immediately  follows  Golden  Sweet. 
Shoots  stout,  short  jointed ;  leaves  crenate-serrate. 

PEACH-POND  SWEET.  Size,  medium ;  roundish-oblate,  re- 
motely conical  ;  delicately  striped  light  red  on  pale 
greenish  yellow  ;  stalk  slender,  varying  in  length  from 
half  an  inch  to  an  inch;  tender,  rich,  sweet.  Nearly 
or  quite  first  rate.  Mid-autumn.  Origin,  Dutchess 
County,  New- York. 

Section  II. — Not  striped. 

AUTUMNAL  SWAAR,  (Syn.  Sweet  Swaar.)  Large,  oblate, 
sometimes  very  slightly  ribbed ;  rich  yellow ;  stalk  an 
inch  or  more  long,  varying  from  long  and  slender,  to 
thick  and  fleshy  at  insertion ;  cavity  and  basin  wide  and 
slightly  ribbed  ;  flesh  tender,  yellowisji,  not  juicy,  with 
a  very  sweet,  spicy,  agreeable  flavor.  Mid-autumn. 
Growth  vigorous,  shoots  diverging,  tree  spreading.  One 
of  the  finest  autumn  sweet  apples. 

HASKELL  SWEET.  Large,  oblate,  regular,  greenish,  a  warm 
brown  cheek  ;  stalk  one-half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  moderately  sunk ;  basin  rather  deep,  nearly  even, 
flesh  tinged  with  yellowish  brown,  very  tender,  sweet, 
good.  R.  Manning  says  this  is  the  best  of  autumn  sweet 
apples. 

Lyman's  Pumpkin  Sweet.  Very  large,  roundish,  ribbed 
most  towards  the  stalk ;  pale  green ;  stalk  short ;  calyx 
small,  basin  abrupt;  flesh  white,  sweet,  tender,  not  juicy; 
second  or  third  rate.  Ripens  through  autumn,  Good  for 
baking. 


146  AUTUMN    APPLES. 

Pumpkin  Russet.  (Syn.  Sweet  Russet.)  Large,  round, 
slightly  flattened,  yellowish  green,  partly  russeted  ;  cavity 
wide,  shallow  ;  basin  small ;  flavor  rich  and  sweet. 
Through  autumn.  Distinct  from  the  Sweet  Russet  cul- 
tivated through  western  New- York,  which  is  a  more 
conical  fruit; 

SUMMER  SWEET  PARADISE.  Large,  roundish,  sometimes 
remotely  oblong,  and  slightly  flattened  at  the  ends,  regu- 
lar, pale  green;  stalk  rather  thick,  three-quarters  of  an 
inch  long;  basin  large,  distinct;  flesh,  tender,  sweet,  rich, 
aromatic,  of  first  rate  flavor.  Ripens  first  of  autumn. 
Shoots  spreading,  leaves  sharply  serrate.  Origin,  Penn. 

This  is  totally  distinct  from  the  Dwarf  Paradise,  used  for 
stocks,  which  bears  a  small,  third  rate,  sweet,  summer 
fruit. 

Tifft  Sweeting.  Medium  in  size,  flat,  greenish  yellow, 
with  russet  network,  and  a  warm,  light  brown  cheek; 
stalk  one  inch  long,  cavity  wide,  obtuse ;  flesh  yellowish, 
rich,  sweet,  fine  in  flavor.  First  rate,  but  a  light  bearer. 
New  England. 


CLASS  II. — WITH  MORE  OR  LESS  ACIDITY. 
Section  /. — Striped  with  red. 

Alexander.  Very  large,  conical,  flattened  at  base,  regular  ; 
streaked  with  bright  red  on  greenish  yellow  ;  stalk  small, 
cavity  rather  deep ;  calyx  large,  basin  deep,  even ;  flesh 
rather  crisp,  sub-acid,  second  or  third  rate  in  flavor.  A 
moderate  bearer.  Late  autumn.  Very  showy,  its  only 
recommendation.  Russian. 

Beauty  of  Kent.  Very  lanre,  roundish,  somewhat  flattish- 
conical,  fair,  smooth,  and  rather  obtuse ;  nearly  the  whole 
surface  striped  with  rich  purplish  red  ;  stalk  three-fourths 
to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender,  cavity  acuminate ; 
calyx  small,  basin  deep,  narrow ;  flesh  tender,  slightly 
sub-acid,  third  rate  in  flavor.  One  of  the  most  beautiful 
and  magnificent  in  appearance  of  all  apples.  Late 


AUTUMN   APPLES.  147 

autumn.      Growth    strong    and    upright,    shoots    dark. 
English. 

Cooper.  Rather  large,  round-oblate,  sides  unequal,  greenish 
yellow  and  pale  red  ;  stalk  slender,  deep  set ;  basin  deep  ; 
flesh  crisp,  juicy,  pleasant,  but  not  very  high  flavor.  Mid- 
autumn.  Cultivated  in  central  Ohio. 

Cornish  Aromatic.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  angular ; 
rich  red  on  a  pale  russet  ground ;  stalk  short,  cavity 
deep;  calyx  small,  basin  narrow;  flesh  yellow,  sub-acid, 
aromatic;  quality  fine,  but  the  fruit  not  fair.  Late 
autumn.  English. 

Doctor.  (Syn.  De  Witt.)  Medium  in  size,  or  large;  regu- 
lar, oblate ;  yellow,  clouded  and  streaked  with  red  ;  stalk 
and  calyx  deep  set ;  flesh  breaking,  tender,  aromatic, 
brisk,  fine  flavor.  Late  autumn  and  early  winter.  Suc- 
ceeds well  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio ;  less  esteemed 
further  north.  Origin,  Pennsylvania. 

Dutchess  of  Olde?iburgh.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish, 
a  little  flattened  at  the  ends ;  light  red  in  broad  broken 
s  ripes  and  splashes  on  yellow  ground  ;  stem  short,  in  an 
acuminate  cavity;  basin  deep  and  narrow;  flesh  yellowish 
white,  sub-acid,  second  rate,  very  handsome.  Good  for 
cooking.  Early  autumn.  Shoots  dark,  ascending. 

English  Summer  Pearmain.  (Syn.  Autumn  Pearmain, 
Summer  Pearmain.)  Size,  medium  ;  roundish,  siight:y 
oblong-conical ;  streaked  and  shaded  with  light  dull  red  ; 
stalk  short ;  basin  broad,  shallow,  slightly  plaited ; 
moderately  juicj',  rich,  high  flavored.  Growth  slender, 
slow,  becoming  somewhat  irregular.  Early  autumn. 
Distinct  from  the  American  Summer  Pearmain,  and  from 
the  Winter  Pearmain.  With  the  latter,  this  has  been 
confounded,  the  name  Autumn  Pearmain  having  been 
applied  to  both. 

FAMEUSE.  (Syn.  Pomme  de  Neige.)  Medium-  in  size, 
round,  often  oblate,  even  ;  handsomely  striped  and 
blotched  with  fine  deep  red  on  whitish  ground, — where 
much  exposed,  a  deep,  nearly  uniform  red;  stalk  three- 
fourhs  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  small;  basin 


148 


AtTitJMN   APPLES. 


AUTUMN    APPLES.  149 

quite  small,  slightly  wrinkled ;  flesh  very  white,*  juicy, 
sub-acid,  a  little  spicy,  pleasant,  but  not  very  rich.  Late 
autumn.  Shoots  dark,  diverging,  somewhat  flexuous. 

Gloucester  Cheese.  Large ;  bright  red,  with  some  indistinct 
stripes ;  flesh  white,  crisp,  flavor  high.  Growth  strong. 
A  native  of  Virginia,  where  it  is  one  of  the  best  early 
autumn  apples,  beginning  to  ripen  by  the  end  of  summer. 

GRAVENSTEIN.  Rather  large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate, 
obtusely  and  obscurely  ribbed,  surface  a  little  wavy ; 
striped  and  splashed  with  bright  red  on  a  yellow  ground ; 
stalk  three  quarters  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  rather  deep  ; 
calyx  large  ;  basin  deep,  narrow;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  very 
rich,  sub-acid  or  rather  acid,  high  flavored.  Mid-autumn. 
Productive,  handsome,  and  excellent.  Fine  in  all  lo- 
calities. Shoots  strong,  becoming  smooth,  and  shining, 
ascending.  German. 

Hunter.  Size,  medium ;  roundish-oblate,  slightly  conical ; 
striped  with  various  shades  of  red,  sometimes  slightly 
russeted,  with  minute  prominences  under  a  smooth  skin; 
stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  narrow, 
deep ;  calyx  small,  basin  rather  deep ;  flesh  white,  with 
sometimes  faint  pink  streaks,  crisp,  tender,  juicy,  flavor 
excellent.  Mid-autumn.  Origin,  Newtown,  Delaware 
Co.,  Pa.  New. 

Jeffries.  Medium  or  rather  large  ;  round-oblate ;  yellow, 
red,  and  deep  red,  striped ;  stalk  very  short,  slender ; 
cavity  and  basin,  deep ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  remarkably 
tender  and  juicy;  flavor  very  pleasant.  Ripens  first  of 
autumn.  Origin,  West-Chester,  Pa.  New. 

Jewett's  Red.  (Syn.  Jewett's  Fine  Red.)  Medium  or  rather 
large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate,  striped  red  on  yellow 
or  slightly  greenish  yellow  ground,  with  conspicuous 
white  dots  ;  stem  nearly  an  inch  long,  cavity  acuminate  ;• 
basin  rather  shallow ;  flesh  remarkably  tender,  fine 
grained,  mild  sub-acid,  slightly  aromatic ;  nearly  first 
rate.  Mid-autumn.  Cultivated  in  the  northern  parts  of 
New  England. 

*  Whence  the  name  Pomme  de  K"eige,  or  <:  Snow  Apple." 


150  AUTUMN    APPLES. 

Kane.  (Syn.  Cane,  Cain.)  Size,  medium  ;  roundish- 
oblate,  often  obscurely  conical,  regular;  surface  fair  and 
beautiful,  highly  polished,  indistinctly  striped  with  bril- 
liant light  crimson,  gradually  merging  into  delicate  blush 
color  on  the  shaded  part  ;  stalk  often  very  short,  cavity 
acute,  nurrow  ;  basin  regular  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  with 
a  pleasant,  good  flavor.  Hardly  of  the  highest  quality, 
but  much  admired  for  its  beauty.  A  native  of  Kent  Co., 
Delaware. 

Kenrick's  Autumn.  Large,  roundish,  flattened  at  base  ; 
bright  red  on  a  pale  yellowish  green  ground ;  stalk  long  ; 
flesh  a  little  stained  with  red,  sprightly,  sub-acid,  second 
or  third  rate.  Early  autumn. 

Kerry  Pippin.  Medium  in  size,  oval,  yellow  streaked  with 
red;  sta:k  with  a  projection  on  one  side  at  the  insertion; 
flesh  yellow,  tender,  cri..;p.  A  third  rate  fruit.  Irish. 

Kilham  Hill.  Rather  large,  roundish,  slightly  conical, 
somewhat  ribbed ;  striped  with  red  on  light  yellow, 
stripes  often  obscure;  flavor  good  at  first,  but  becomes 
dry  and  worthless.  Early  autumn.  Fair  and  productive. 
Essex  county,  Mass. 

King  of  the  Pippins.  Medium  size,  roundish-oblate,  ob- 
scurely conical;  striped  rich  yellowish  red;  stalk  one 
inch  long,  cavity  shallow  ;  calyx  large,  basin  deep,  even  ; 
flesh,  firm,  sub-acid,  second  rate  in  flavor.  Growth 
upright ;  tree  productive.  Late  autumn.  Admired  in 
England,  unsuccessful  here. 

LATE  STRAWBERRY.  (Syn.  Strawberry,  Autumn  Strawber- 
ry.) Size  medium  ;  roundish,  slightly  conical,  sometimes 
faintly  ribbed ;  nearly  whole  surface  with  small  broken 
streaks  of  light  and  dark  red ;  stalk  slender,  about  an 
inch  long  ;  basin  ribbed ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  slightly 
fibrous,  very  tender  and  juicy,  with  a  fine,  very  agreeable, 
sub-acid  flavor.  Young  trers'of  remarkable  thrifty  growth, 
leaves  sharply  serrate,  which  at  once  distinguishes  them 
from  the  crenate  leaves  of  the  Early  Strawberry.  Ripens 
early  in  autumn,  and  often  keeps  till  winter.  Very  pro- 
ductive. One  of  the  best  early  autumn  apples. 


AUTUMN    APPLES.  151 

LELAND  SPICE.  (Syn.  Leland  Pippin.)  Large,  roundish, 
obscurely  conical,  slightly  ribbed ;  whole  surface  with 
brilliant  red  streaks  on  yellow  ground,  dotted  with  yel- 
low ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long ;  cavity  and  basin  ribbed  ; 
flesh  yellowish  white,  sub-acid,  spicy,  rich,  fine.  Origin, 
Sherburne,  Mass. 

Lyscom.  Large,  round,  with  broad,  broken,  distinct,  pale 
red  stripes,  on  yellowish  or  greenish  yellow  ground  ;  stalk 
three- fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slender  ;  calyx  deep  set ; 
flesh  fine  grained,  mild,  slightly  sub-acid,  moderately  rich, 
good  second-rate  flavor.  Middle  and  late  autumn.  Mass. 

MELON.  (Syn.  Watermelon,  Norton's  Melon.)  Medium  or 
large,  roundish,  often  slightly  conical,  frequently  a  little 
irregular ;  color,  with  stripes  and  dots  of  bright  red  on 
yellow  ground,  of  clear  red  on  pale  yellow  ;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  slender,  cavity  acuminate  ;  basin  deep;  flesh  white, 
tender,  very  juicy,  fresh,  and  pleasant,  spicy,  sub-acid,  or 
slightly  sub-acid,  fine-flavored.  Growth  rather  slow.  Late 
autumn  and  early  winter.  Origin,  East  Bloomfield,  N.  Y 

Nonsuch  (English.)  (Syn.  Nonsuch.)  Size  medium  ;  regu- 
lar, oblate ;  striped  with  dull  brick  red,  on  greenish  yel- 
lo\v  ground ;  stalk  short,  slender ;  basin  wide,  shallow  ; 
flesh  white,  soft,  sub-acid,  second  rate.  Wholly  unlike 
the  Old  Nonsuch  of  New-England,  or  Red  Canada. 

RAMBO.  (Syn.  Romanite  of  N.  J.)  Size  medium;  oblate, 
smooth,  streaked  and  marbled  with  dull  yellowish  red,  on 
pale  yellowish  ground ;  dots  large  ;  whitish ;  stalk  an 
inch  long,  rather  slender ;  basin  broad,  slightly  plaited  ; 
flesh  tender,  rich,  mild  sub-acid,  fine  flavored,  often  ex- 
cellent. Fine  in  nearly  all  localities.  Late  autumn  and 
"early  winter.  Known  by  the  erroneous  name  of  Seek- 
no-further  in  Philadelphia  market. 

Red  Ingestrie.  Rather  small,  oblong  or  ovate  j  mottled 
with  red :  stalk  short,  slender ;  basin  wide  ;  flesh  firm, 
juicy,  rather  high  flavored.  Admired  in  England;  un- 
worthy of  cultivation  here.  Early  and  mid-autumn. 

Republican  Pippin.  Large,  round-oblate,  striped  with  red 
on  a  mottled  reddish  ground,  greenish  yellow  in  the  shade; 

7* 


152  AUTUMN    APPLES. 

stalk  an  inch  long,  slender;  cavity  sometimes  with  radia- 
ting russet  rays  ;  flesh  tender,  sub-acid  ;  with  a  pleasant, 
first-rate,  peculiar,  somewhat  walnut  flavor.  Ripens  early 
and  mid-autumn  ;  but  is  a  good  cooking  apple  in  summer. 
Excellent  for  drying.  Origin,  Lycoming  county,  Pa. 
New. 

Ribston  Pippin.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish-conical; 
clouded  and  striped  with  yellowish  red,  on  a  yellow  and 
slightly  russeted  ground  ;  stalk  slender,  often  short,  cavity 
rather  wide  ;  basin  narrow,  angular ;  flesh  yellow,  crisp, 
granular,  juicy,  with  a  very  rich  and  rather  sharp  or  acid 
flavor.  First-rate  as  far  north  as  Maine,  often  second- 
rate  further  south ;  but  its  quality  is  usually  suffered  to 
deteriorate  needlessly  by  remaining  too  long  on  the  tree. 
Late  autumn  and  early  winter.  Shoots  diverging  or 
spreading;  buds  and  young  shoots  rather  hoary.  English. 

Ross  NONPAREIL.  Medium  or  small,  roundish,  obscurely 
conical;  color  thin  russet  and  dull  red,  blotched,  and  ob- 
scurely striped  ;  stalk  slender,  cavity  rather  acuminate  ; 
basin  small;  flesh  greenish  white,  with  a  rich  aromatic 
or  fennel  flavor.  Late  autumn.  Very  productive.  Irish. 

Scarlet  Pearmain.  Medium  size,  conical,  rich  crimson ; 
stalk  slender,  deep  set ;  calyx  open  or  spreading,  basin 
deep,  slightly  plaited ;  flesh  white,  tinged  with  pink, 
crisp,  juicy,  good*  Early  autumn.  Productive.  Eng- 
lish. 

Smokehouse.  Medium  or  rather  large,  oblate,  regular; 
mottled  and  indistinctly  striped  with  red  on  yellow  ground  ; 
a  slight  greenish  cast  at  the  crown ;  stalk  one  inch  long, 
slender,  cavity  wide,  acute ;  basin  rather  distinct ;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  rich,  aromatic,  fine  sub-acid  flavor.  Near- 
ly or  quite  as  good  as  Rambo,  which  it  somewhat  re- 
sembles. Origin,  Chester  Co.,  Pa. 

St.  Lawrence.  (Syn.  Corse's  St.  Lawrence.)  Large  round- 
ish, slightly  oblate,  and  sometimes  a  little  conical,  obtuse; 
whole  surface  broadly  and  very  distinctly  striped  with  very 
dark  red,  on  light  greenish  yellow  ground;  stem  rather 
short  and  slender,  cavity  wide ;  basin  round,  deep,  with 


AUTUMN    APPLES.  153 

a  very  obtuse  rim ;  flavor  rather  acid,  moderately  rich, 
agreeable.  A  very  handsome  and  productive  apple,  of 
good  second-rate  flavor,  ripening  about  mid-autumn.  Ca- 
nadian. 

Tirenfy  Ounce.  (Syii.  Eighteen  Ounce,  Twenty  Ounce 
Pippin,  erroneously.)  Very  large,  roundish,  remotely 
conical,  surface  sometimes  smooth,  often  very  wavy ;  color 
striped  rich  yellowish  red  on  greenish  yellow,  or  yellow- 
ish white  ground ;  stalk  three-fourths  inch  long ;  sub- 
acid,  rather  coarse,  second-rate.  Very  showy,  fair  and 
productive.  Culinary  only.  Late  autumn  and  early 
winter.  Growth  in  large  trees  becoming  straggling. 
Western  New-York.  The  Twenty  Ounce  Pippin  is  a 
large,  green,  third-rate  fruit. 

Section  II. — Not  striped. 

Downton  Pippin.  Small,  round-oblate,  yellow ;  stalk  short ; 
calyx  in  a  wide,  very  shallow  basin ;  flesh  crisp,  rich, 
acid.  Latter  half  of  autumn.  English. 

Drap  d'Or,  or  "  Cloth  of  Gold."  Large,  roundish,  some- 
times slightly  oblong-conical,  more  frequently  rather 
oblate  ;  bright  yellow  with  numerous  black  specks  ;  stalk 
short ;  basin  shallow,  plaited  ;  flavor  sub-acid,  mild, 
agreeable.;  Early  autumn,  extending  to  mid-autumn. 
Growth  of  the  tree  round,  regular,  and  spreading ;  leaves 
doubly  serrate. 

Dutch  Codlin.  Very  large,  roundish,  approaching  oblong, 
irregular,  strongly  ribbed  ;  pale  yellow,  tinged  with  orange 
in  the  sun ;  stalk  short,  thick ;  basin  narrow,  ribbed ; 
flesh  white,  sub-acid,  second  or  third  rate.  Early  autumn. 
Growth  vigorous.  For  cooking  only. 

DYER.  (Syn.  Pomme  Royal,  which  is  the  original  name.) 
Rather  large,  roundish,  often  approaching  round  oblong, 
sometimes  slightly  flattened,  obscurely  ribbed  ;  light  yel- 
low, rarely  a  faint  brown  cheek,  and  sometimes  a  slight 
russet  network  over  the  skin  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  one 
inch  long ;  basin  often  deep  and  large,  ribbed ;  flesh  very 
fine  grained,  tender,  very  juicy,  with  a  rich  sub-acid  or 
rather  acid,  excellent  flavor,  having  but  few  equals.  Time 


154 


AUTUMN   APPLES. 


•AUTUMN   APPLES.  155 

of  ripening,  variable,  from  early  auturhn  to  winter.    Pro- 
ductiveness, variable. 

English  Codlin.  Rather  large,  oblong  or  conical,  yellow, 
stalk  short,  pleasant,  sub-acid,  second  rate.  Culinary. 
Tree  vigorous  and  productive.  Early  and  mid-autumn. 

Esten.  Large,  oblong-ovate,  slightly  ribbed,  smooth  ;  yel- 
low, sometimes  a  blush;  dots  large,  green  and  red;  stalk 
one  inch  long,  slender  ;  cavity  very  deep  ;  basin  shallow  ; 
flesh  white,  fine  grained,  mild  sub-acid.  Tree  vigorous, 
very  productive.  Rhode  Island.  New. 

Fall  Cheese.  Size,  medium  ;  color,  green  with  a  red  cheek; 
flesh  crisp,  sprightly,  very  agreeable.  Tree  of  compact 
growth,  a  profuse  bearer.  Its  cultivation  is  chiefly  con- 
fined to  Virginia,  and  is  one  of  the  best  apples  of  that 
State,  ripening  the  latter  half  of  autumn. 

Fall  Harvey.  Large,  roundish  oblate,  nearly  regular ;  pale 
yellow  ;  stalk  slender,  one  inch  long,  cavity  moderate  ; 
basin  medium  in  size,  furrowed ;  flesh  fine  grained, 
juicy,  good,  rich  sub-acid  flavor,  but  hardly  first  rate, 
often  second  rate.  Moderate  or  poor  bearer.  Essex  Co., 
Mass. 

Fall  Orange.  Large,  roundish  ovate,  or  oval ;  light 
greenish  yellow  becoming  pale  yellow;  rarely  a  brown 
cheek;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow;  basin 
even-rimmed,  slightly  plaited;  sub-acid,  tender,  fine — first 
rate  if  well  ripened  and  fresh  from  the  tree.  Shoots  very 
stout,  dark  colored.  Tree  bears  while  very  young,  fruit 
always  fair. 

FALL  PIPPIN.  (Syn.  Holland  Pippin,  erroneously.) 
Very  large,  roundish,  obtuse,  somewhat  oblong-conical, 
a  little  flattened  at  the  ends,  sometimes  with  large  obtuse 
ribs  ;  color  greenish,  becoming  a  high  rich  yellow  when 
ripe,  with  some  large  shades  of  green  about  the  crown 
before  fully  ripe  ;  stalk  large,  in  an  acuminate  cavity ; 
basin  deep  ;  flesh  yellowish,  rather  firm,  becoming  ten- 
der, rich,  aromatic,  excellent.  Leaves  sharply  serrate ; 
shoots  vigorous,  rather  dark,  diverging,  becoming  spread- 
ing ;  tree  large.  Late  autumn,  keeping  into  mid-winter. 


156  AUTUMN    APPLES. 

Mostly  a  moderate  bearer — rfruit  sometimes  water-cored. 
Excellent  for  cooking.     Fine  in  nearly  all  localities. 

Franklin's  Golden  Pippin.  Medium  in  size,  oval  or  ovate  ; 
deep  yellow,  specks  dark,  numerous;  stalk  short,  slender; 
flesh  tender,  crisp,  rich,  aromatic.  Growth  vigorous, 
upright.  Ripens  mid-autumn. 

Grand  Sachem.  Large,  roundish,  ribbed,  irregular ;  dark 
dull  or  dingy  red;  stalk  short,  stout;  basin  distinct;  flesh 
white,  rather  dry.  flavor  poor.  Early  autumn. 

HAWLEY.  (Syn.  Dowse.)  Quite  large,  roundish,  slightly 
conical,  sometimes  nearly  round,  with  a  broad  obtuse 
apex,  and  slightly  flattened ;  smooth,  slightly  oily  when 
kept  within  doors  ;  pale  green  becoming  yellow,  some- 
times a  very  faint  orange  cheek  ;  stalk  one-half  to  one 
inch  long,  slender  ;  cavity  wide,  deep,  acute,  sometimes 
slightly  obtuse  ;  basin  deep,  slightly  furrowed  ;  flesh  yel- 
lowish white,  fine-grained,  quite  tender,  with  a  mild,  rich, 
sub-acid,  fine  flavor.  Ripens  at  mid-autumn.  A  very  val- 
uable apple.  Shoots  of  rather  slow  growth.  Origin,  Co- 
lumbia Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  cultivated  chiefly  in  western  N.  Y. 

Hawthornden.  (Syn.  White  Hawthornden.)  Rather  large, 
roundish,  oblate-conical ;  whitish  yellow,  a  blush  on  the 
sunny  side  ;  stalk  rather  stoirt ;  calyx  in  a  regular,  plaited 
basin;  flesh  juicy,  sub-acid,  pleasant,  not  rich.  Fair,  pro- 
ductive ;  for  cooking  only.  Tree  spreading. 

Holland  Pippin.  Very  large',  roundish,  somewhat  oblong, 
and  flattened  at  the  ends,  sometimes  slightly  oblate ; 
greenish  yellow,  becoming  pale  yellow  or  \vhitish  yellow, 
with  a  brownish  red  cheek  ;  stalk  variable  in  length, 
usually  short,  cavity  wide,  acute  ;  basin  slightly  plaited  ; 
flesh  nearly  white,  rather  acid,  with  a  second  rate  flavor. 
Ripens  early  and  mid-autumn,  but  is  a  good  cooking 
apple  some  weeks  previously.  Wholly  distinct  from  the 
Fall  Pippin. 

Keswick  Codlin.  Rather  large,  somewhat  conical,  obscure- 
ly ribbed ;  greenish  yellow,  becoming  light  yellow ;  stalk 
short,  deep  set ;  calyx  rather  large  ;  juicy,  pleasant  acid, 
second-rate.  Cooking.  Productive.  English. 


AUTUMN  APPLES.  157 

Le  "iOn  Pippin.  Medium  size,  oval,  regular;  pale  green, 
becoming  yellow ;  stalk  short,  fleshy,  curved  inwards, 
surrounded  by  a  fleshy  protuberance  ;  basin  small,  even  ; 
flesh  firm,  brisk,  pleasant  sub-acid.  Late  autu:i.n  and 
early  winter.  Tree  erect. 

Lowell.  (Syn.  Orange,  Tallow  apple,  Tallow  Pippin,  Queen 
Anne,  of  northern  Ohio.)  Large,  roundish-oblong,  obtuse, 
slightly  conical ;  green  becoming  rich  yellow  ;  surface 
slightly  oily ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  basin  deep,  furrowejd 
or  plaited  inside,  rim  obtuse,  even  ;  flesh  yellowish  white, 
rather  coarse,  rich  sub-acid,  or  rather  acid,  hardly  first- 
rate,  but  valuable  for  its  fair  surface  and  great  and  early 
productiveness.  Early  autu.rn. 

Maiden's  Blush.  Rather  large,  oblate,  smooth  and  regular, 
with  a  fine,  evenly  shaded  red  cheek  or  blush  on  a  clear 
pale  yellow  giound  ;  stalk  short ;  cavity  rather  wide  ;  ba- 
sin moderate,  even;  flesh  white,  fine-grained,  tender, 
pleasant  sub-acid,  but  not  rich,  good  second-rate.  Mid- 
autumn.  Tree  spreading.  Although  deficient  in  rich- 
ness, it  is  admired  for  its  fair,  tender,  and  beautiful  fruit, 
and  uniform  productiveness. 

Menagere.  Very  large,  quite  oblate,  regular,  pale  yellow, 
sometimes  a  faint  blush,  stalk  short,  flavor  poor.  Middle 
and  late  autumn.  Culinary  only.  German. 

ORNE'S  EARLY.  Rather  large,  somewhat  ribbed,  pale  yel- 
low, sprinkled  with  thin  russet,  and  with  a  dull  red  cheek 
towards  the  sun.  Flesh  white,  very  tender,  juicy,  and 
with  an  exceedingly  pleasant  and  fine  flavor.  Ripens  the 
first  of  autumn.  This  apple  was  imported  from  France 
into  Marblehead,  Mass.,  and  the  name  being  lost,  it  re- 
ceived that  of  the  importer,  in  the  same  way  that  the 
Williams  Bonchretien  pear  was  changed  to  Bartlett. 

PORTER.  Rather  large,  oblong-ovate-conical,  regular,  often 
ribbed  at  apex  ;  bright  yellow,  sometimes  a  dull  blush  in 
the  sun  ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  rather  small ; 
basin  narrow  ;  flesh  tender,  rich  sub-acid,  of  fine  flavor. 
Fair  and  productive.  Early  autumn.  Good  throughout 
the  northern  states.  Leaves  sharp  serrate. 


15$  ATTtUMN   APPLES. 

Quince.  Large,  oblate  ;  rich  lemon  yellow  when  ripe  ;  rich, 
juicy.  A  great  bearer  alternate  years.  Late  autumn. 

Red  Ashmore.  Medium  or  rather  large,  nearly  round, 
smooth  and  glossy,  rich  crimson  shaded  into  pale  red  and 
pale  yellowish  white;  juicy,  delicate,  pleasant.  Very 
beautiful.  Late  autumn.  Little  known.  The  Striped 
Ashmore  is  a  distinct  variety. 

Siberian  Crab.  This  is  the  Pyrus  baccata  of  botanists,  a 
distinct  species  from  all  our  common  apples,  which  are 
varieties  of  the  Pyrus  mains.  The  common  Red  Siberia?! 
Crab  is  very  small,  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  nearly 
round,  with  a  brilliant  scarlet  cheek,  on  a  pale  clear, 
waxen  yellow  ground,  stalk  very  long  and  slender;  tree 
very  productive,  and  bears  when  very  young.  Too  hard 
for  preserving,  but  makes  excellent  jelly.  The  Large 
Red  Siberian  Crab,  (P.  prunifolia,)  is  about  twice  the 
size  of  the  preceding,  round-ovate,  calyx  prominent,  skin 
pale  red  and  yellow.  Some  seedlings  also  from  the  com- 
mon Red,  have  been  triple  the  size  of  the  original.  The 
Ydlow  Siberian  Crab  is  larger  than  the  common,  of  a  fine 
rich  yellow. 

Stroat.  Rather  large,  roundish,  regular,  very  slightly  coni- 
cal ;  pale  yellowish  green ;  specks  small,  clear ;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  in  a  rather  obtuse  cavity ; 
basin  small,  slightly  furrowed  ;  flesh  tender,  rich,  mild, 
sub-acid,  flavor  fine.  La'e  autumn.  Not  good  in  some 
localities.  The  name  is  from  the  Dutch,  stroot*  a  street, 
the  place  of  its  origin. 

Surprise.  Medium  or  rather  small,  roundish,  skin  yellow, 
flesh  red.  Quality  worthless ;  sometimes  cultivated  for 
its  singular  red  flesh  within  the  yellow  skin. 

To?npkins  Apple.  Large,  roundish-oblong,  rather  angu- 
lar, slightly  ribbed  near  the  apex,  smooth  ;  color  rich  yel- 
low ;  stalk  short,  small,  cavity  narrow ;  calyx  small,  basin 
deep,  plaited  ;  flesh  tender,  rich,  sub-acid.  Last  half  of 
autumn.  Origin,  Tompkins  Co.,  N.  Y.  New. 

*  Pronounced  strote. 


WINTER    APPLES.  159 

Wormsley  Pippin.  Size  medium,  rouncTsh,  slightly  coni- 
cal ;  pale  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  rather  long,  calyx  deep 
sunk  ;  flesh  white,  firm,  crisp,  high-flavored,  but  too  acid. 
English. 

Yello\v  Ingestrie.  Small,  clear  rich  yellow,  tender,  deli- 
cate, juicy  when  fresh,  crisp,  spicy.  English.  Of  little 
value  in  this  country. 


DIVISION  III.— WINTER  APPLES. 

CLASS  I. — SWEET  APPLES. 

Section  I. — Striped  with  red. 

BAILEY  SWEET.  (Syn.  Patterson  Sweet,  Edgerly  Sweet.) 
Large,  regular  ovate,  often  slightly  and  sometimes  con- 
siderably ribbed ;  the  whole  surface  frequently  a  full 
bright  red,  in  small,  broken,  indistinct  stripes  and  dots, 
on  light  ground ;  stalk  slender,  one  inch  long ;  cavity 
small,  narrow,  slightly  ribbed  ;  basin  small,  plaited  ;  flesh 
very  tender,  not  juicy;  a  pure,  mild,  rich  sweet;  fine. 
Early  winter.  Origin,  Perry,  Wyoming  Co.,N.  Y.  New. 

Hartford  Sweeting.  (Syn.  Spencer  Sweeting.)  Rather 
large,  roundish,  slightly  flattened ;  striped  with  fine  red 
on  greenish  yellow  ground ;  stalk  slender,  cavity  rather 
shallow,  round;  calyx  large,  basin  shallow;  juicy,  ten- 
der, rich,  agreeable.  Keeps  through  winter  and  spring. 
Productive.  Growth  slow,  shoots  becoming  d; coping. 
Although  hardly  first-rate  in  quality,  valuable  for  its  great 
productiveness  and  long  keeping.  A  native  of  Hartford, 
Connecticut. 

LADIES'  SWEETING.  Rather  large,  roundish-ovate,  apex 
narrow  ;  striped  with  red  on  pale  yellowish  green  ground, 
a  nearly  uniform  shade  of  fine  red  to  the  sun ;  faintly 
marbled  or  clouded  with  white  over  the  red ;  and  cavity 
faintly  rayed  with  white  ;  stalk  short,  cavity  small;  calyx 
and  basin  small;  tender,  juicy,  agreeable,  fine,  rich. 


ICO 


WINTER    APPLES, 


WINTER    APPLES.  161 

Through   winter   and    into   spring.      A   profuse   bearer. 
Growth  not  vigorous.     Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

Phillips'  Sweeting.  Medium  or  large,  roundish,  slightly 
flattened  and  conical,  regular ;  mottled  red,  yellow,  and 
dark  red;  flesh  rich  yellow,  tender,  juicy,  crisp,  sweet. 
Very  handsome ;  resembles  Ladies'  Sweeting,  but  more 
showy  and  not  equal  in  flavor.  Early  winter ;  Growth 
upright,  vigorous.  Central  Ohio. 

RamsdelVs  Sweeting.  (Syn.  Ramsdell's  Red  Pumpkin 
Sweet.)  Rather  large,  oblong,  obscurely  conical,  regular; 
dark  rich  red,  with  a  blue  bloom ;  stalk  short ;  basin 
rather  deep,  even  ;  flesh  yellowish,  tender,  sweet,  rich, 
good  second-rate,  or  nearly  first-rate.  Tree  vigorous,  up- 
right, very  productive.  Late  autumn  and  early  winter. 
Conn. 

Sweet  Baldwin.  Medium  or  rather  large,  round,  often  round- 
oblate,  very  obscurely  conical,  very  regular ;  color  a  fine 
deep  red  indistinctly  striped  on  yellow  ground ;  stalk 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  very  even; 
basin  rather  small,  nearly  smooth  ;  flavor,  very  sweet, 
nearly  first-rale.  Early  winter. 

Sweet  Pearmain.  (Syn.  English  Sweeting,  of  Rhode  Island.) 
Medium  size,  roundish  or  ovate-conical ;  dark  rich  red, 
with  rough  dots  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  wide, 
round ;  calyx  wooly,  basin  very  small ;  flavor  sweet  and 
rich.  Early  winter.  Introduced  from  England  before  the 
revolution. 

Section  II. — Not  striped. 

BROADWELL.  Rather  large,  slightly  conical,  somewhat 
oblate ;  skin  thin,  smooth,  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  short, 
small,  deep  set;  flesh  white,  tender,  sweet,  juicy,  fine — 
often  first  rate,  and  one  of  the  best  winter  sweet  apples. 
Keeps  through  winter  late  into  spring.  Ohio.  New. 

Carrn.  Size,  medium ;  conical ;  green  with  a  brownish 
shade  near  the  stalk  ;  very  sweet.  Early  winter.  N.  J. 

DANVERS  WINTER  SWEET.  Medium  or  rather  large, 
roundish,  remotely  oblong  or  conical,  obscurely  ribbed ; 


162  WINTER    APPLES. 

greenish  yellow,  becoming  a  rather  dull  rich  yellow, — 
sometimes  an  orange  blush ;  stalk  three-quarters  to  one 
inch  long,  cavity  acute  ;  basin  smooth,  narrow ;  flesh 
yellow,  sweet,  rich.  Growth  vigorous,  tree  productive. 

Green  Sweet.  Large  or  medium  ;  nearly  round,  slightly 
approaching  ovate-conical,  regular  ;  surface  green,  with 
greenish  white  dots ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  mode- 
rately thick,  cavity  rather  small  and  narrow,  round; 
acuminate  ;  basin,  small,  slightly  furrowed  ;  flesh  greenish 
whine,  with  a  ve;y  sweet,  spicy,  good  flavor.  Fair,  pro- 
ductive, and  a  long  keeper. 

Old-Toivn  Crab.  (Syn.  Spice  apple  of  Va.)  Rather  small; 
greenish  yellow,  with  brown  specks ;  flesh  crisp,  sweet, 
fragrant,  juicy,  sprightly.  Growth  strong,  trees  compact. 
Cultivated  in  southern  Virginia;  keeps  there  through 
winter  into  spring. 

Sweet  Russet.  Large,  ovate-conical,  largest  at  middle, 
tapering  slightly  to  base,  and  much  narrowed  to  apex: 
green  becoming  yellow,  with  patches  of  russet;  stalk 
one-half  to  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ;  basin  narrow, 
uneven  ;  flesh  tender,  rather  spongy,  with  a  good  and 
quite  sweet  flavor.  Fair  and  productive.  Considerably 
cultivated  in  western  New  York  and  elsewhere.  Early 
winter. 

TALLMAN  SWEETING.  (.Syn.  Tolman's  Sweeting.)  Medium 
or  rather  large,  roundish  oblate,  slightly  conical;  clear 
light  yellow,  with  a  clear  brownish  line  from  stalk  to 
apex  ;  stalk  nearly  an  inch  long ;  calyx  in  a  distinct, 
slightly  wrinkled  basin ;  flesh  white,  firm,  rich,  very  sweet. 
Excellent  for  winter  baking.  Keeps  into  spring.  Young 
tree  vigorous,  upright,  shoots  becoming  spreading;  leaves 
wavy.  Productive. 

WELLS'  SWEETING.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  tapering 
slightly  to  base  and  apex;  color  light  green,  with  a 
brownish  cheek ;  stalk  short ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  very 
white,  tender,  rich,  agreeable.  Early  winter.  New- 
burgh,  N.  Y. 


WINTER    APPLES.  163 

Victuals  and  Drink.  Large,  roundish,  often  oblong-conical, 
more  or  less  irregular;  dull  yellow,  slightly  russeted ; 
stalk  rather  slender;  basin  shallow,  slightly  ribbed ;  flesh 
fine  grained,  breaking,  rich,  sweet,  light.  Ripens  .late 
autumn  and  early  winter.  A  moderate  bearer.  Newark, 
New  Jersey. 


CLASS  II. — WITH  MORE  OR  LESS  ACIDITY. 
Section  I. — Striped  with  red. 

American  Pippin.  (Syn.  Grindstone.)  Medium  size,  ob- 
late, regular ;  light  dull  red  on  dull  green  ;  dots  whitish, 
conspicuous  ;  rather  rough  ;  stalk  short,  often  quite  fleshy ; 
basin  very  shallow ;  flesh  very  hard ;  mild  sub-acid. 
Long  keeping,  but  poor.  Shoots  crooked,  irregular. 

BALDWIN.  Rather  large,  roundish,  with  more  or  less  of 
a  rounded  taper  towards  the  apex  ;  shaded  and  striped 
with  yellowish  red  and  crimson  on  yellow  ground  ;  stalk 
three-quarters  of  an  inch  long,  rather  slender;  calyx  in  a 
narrow,  slightly  plaited  basin  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  with 
a  rich,  mild,  sub-acid  flavor.  Young  tree  vigorous, 
upright,  shoots  dark  brown,  diverging  and  ascending. 
Very  productive.  Ripens  through  winter.  A  first  rate 
winter  apple  through  New-England  and  New- York ; 
unsuccessful  in  northern  Ohio.  The  use  of  special 
manures,  as  lime,  po!ash,  and  salt  has,  however,  on  those 
unfavorable  localities,  been  attended  with  the  best  results, 
and  produced  fine  fruit ;  showing  the  deficiency  to  be  in 
the  soil. 

The  Baldwin  is  liable  to  vary  in  character ;  the  Late 
Baldwin  of  Maine,  appears  to  be  identical,  but  modified 
by  external  causes. 

Black  Apple,  of  Coxe.  Rather  small,  roundish,  slightly 
oblate ;  dark  red,  nearly  black,  with  a  whitish,  mealy 
bloorn ;  stalk  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long;  basin 
rather  shallow;  flesh  yellowish  red,  crisp,  juicy',  second 
rate  in  quality.  Early  winter.  Old  tree  becoming  rather 
drooping. 


164  WINTER    APPLES. 

Black  Detroit.  (Syn.  Red  Detroit.)  Rather  large,  roundish, 
slightly  oblate,  apex  ribbed  ;  dark  or  blackish  red  or  pur 
pie ;  basin  plaited  ;  flesh  white,  often  stained  red,  mild 
sub-acid,  not  high  flavored.  Early  winter. 

The  Black  Coal  and  Black  Apple,  of  Ohio,  closely  resemble 
the  Black  Detroit  in  quality,  and  are  perhaps  identical. 

Black  Gillifloiver.  Rather  large,  oblong-ovate,  long  conical, 
regular,  obscurely  ribbed ;  surface  dark,  dull,  reddish 
purple,  inclining  to  greenish  yellow  where  densely 
shaded ;  cavity  very  narrow,  acuminate  ;  basin  very 
small,  ribbed;  flesh  greenish  white,  with  a  rich,  good 
slightly  sub-acid  flavor,  becoming  dry  when  ripe.  Keeps 
through  winter  and  late  into  spring.  Shoots  dark,  rather 
crooked,  fruit  always  fair;  very  productive.  Rejected  by 
most  cultivators  on  account  of  its  very  dry  flesh.  Totally 
distinct  from  the  Red  Gilliflower. 

Blue  Pearmain.  Very  large,  roundish,  inclining  to  oblong, 
slightly  and  obtusely  conical ;  dark  purplish  red  in  large 
broken  stripes  on  lighter  ground ;  bloom  conspicuous ; 
dots  large,  indistinct ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long; 
calyx  deep  set ;  flesh  yellowish,  mild  sub-acid,  good. 
Early  winter.  A  thin  bearer. 

Brabant  Bdlefieur.  Large,  roundish  or  roundish-oblong; 
pale  yellow,  striped ;  calyx  large ;  flesh  firm,  rich,  sub- 
acid  or  rather  acid,  good  flavor.  Growth  crooked,  tree 
spreading.  Winter. 

Carthouse.  (Syn.  Gilpin,  Red  Romanite,  of  Ohio.)  Me- 
dium or  rather  small,  roundish-oblong,  nearly  regular, 
apex  flattened ;  striped  and  shaded  deep  red  on  greenish 
yellow  ground;  stalk  one-half  to  an  inch  long,  slender; 
basin  slightly  furrowed,  wide,  distinct;  flesh  tough,  crisp, 
fresh,  agreeable,  mild  sub-acid,  second-rate.  Keeps  fresh 
till  late  in  spring.  Much  cultivated  in  Ohio  valley  and 
sold  at  New-Orleans. 

Chandler.  Rather  large,  roundish-oblate,  often  oblique  or 
irregular,  obscurely  ribbed;  color  with  a  few  distinct 
large  broken  stripes  of  yellowish  red,  and  a  shade  of  paler 
red  on  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long ;  basin 


WINTER   APPLES 

rather  deep  ;  flesh  greenish  yellow,  sub-acid,  rich,  nearly 
first-rate.     Early  winter.     Origin,  Pomfret,  Conn. 

Cornish  Gilliftower.  Medium  size,  ovate,  apex  ribbed,  very 
narrow ;  dull  green,  with  a  brown  cheek,  slightly  streaked; 
calyx  large  ;  flesh  yellowish,  firm,  rich,  high  flavor.  Ripe 
through  winter.  English. 

Cos  or  Caas.  Large,  one-sided  or  angular,  roundish,  base 
wide,  apex  narrow;  greenish  yellow  with  red  streaks; 
stalk  short,  cavity  deep,  one-sided;  calyx  small,  basin 
shallow ;  flesh  mild,  sub-acid,  agreeable,  second-rate  or 
nearly  first-rate.  Ripens  through  winter.  A  native  of 
Kingston,  N.  Y. 

Court-pendu.  (Syn.  Court-pendu  plat.)  Medium  in  size, 
flat,  regular ;  color  deep  crimson  on  pale  greenish  yellow; 
stalk  short,  cavity  deep ;  calyx  large,  basin  wide ;  flesh 
yellowish,  crisp,  rich,  acid.  Early  winter.  Popular  in 
Europe.  French. 

Dominie.  Rather  large,  roundish-oblate  ;  surface  with  nar- 
row and  distinct  stripes  of  light  red,  or;  whitish  yellow 
ground  ;  dots  or  specks  large,  rough  j  stalk  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long,  cavity  wide,  deep,  acute ;  basin  deep, 
obtusely  ribbed ;  flesh  white,  firm,  mild  sub-acid,  spicy, 
fine-flavored.  Shoots  very  long,  vigorous,  diverging, 
leaves  drooping,  coarsely  serrate.  Productive.  Keeps 
through  winter. 

Dumelow's  Seedling.  Medium  in  size,  round,  flattened  at 
ends ;  clear  yellow,  with  a  red  blush  ;  stalk  very  short ; 
calyx  large,  open,  deep ,  sunk ;  flesh  yellow,  crisp,  with 
a  very  brisk  sharp  acid  juice.  A  good  culinary  fruit. 
English. 

DUTCH  MIGNONNE.  Quite  large,  roundish,  regular;  rich 
orange,  dotted,  mottled,  and  obscurely  striped  with  bright 
red,  slightly  russetted ;  stalk  nearly  an  inch  long,  slen- 
der; calyx  large,  open;  basin  large,  round,  even;  flesh 
firm,  becoming  tender,  with  a  high,  rich,  rather  acid  fla- 
vor. Early  winter.  Native  of  Holland.  A  large,  hand- 
some, high-flavored,  but  rather  coarse  fruit. 


166 


WINTER    APPLES. 


WINTER    APPLES.  167 

Eustis. — (Syn.  Ben.)  Rather  large,  roundish,  very  slightly 
ovate  ;  striped  and  dotted  with  light  rich  red  on  rich  yel- 
low; stalk  very  short ;  basin  narrow,  rather  deep;  flesh 
yellowish,  rich,  sub-acid,  fine.  Origin,  Essex  Co.,  Mass., 
New. 

Golden  JKeinette.  Small,  regular,  roundish-conical,  slightly 
flattened  at  base ;  rich  yellow  with  red  ;  stalk  long,  cavi- 
ty shallow ;  flesh  yellowish,  rich,  mild  sub-acid.  Early 
winter. 

HEREFORDSHIRE  PEARMAIN.  (Syn.  Royal  Pearmain,  Win- 
ter Pearmain,  erroneously.)  Medium  in  size,  round-ob- 
long, approaching  obtuse-conical;  surface  mostly  covered 
with  indistinct  stripes  and  soft  clouds  of  light  red  on 
greenish  yellow,  which  on  ripening  becomes  a  pale,  clear 
yellow;*  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  small;  calyx 
large,  open  ;  basin  narrow,  plaited  ;  flesh  yellowish  white, 
fine-grained,  with  a  pleasant,  mild  sub-acid,  aromatic, 
fine  flavor.  Early  winter.  Best  on  light  soils.  Distin- 
guished from  Winter  Pearmain  by  its  more  conical  and 
less  oblong  form,  and  by  the  soft  shades  and  clouds  of 
fine  red,  which  cover  the  surface. 

Hoary  Morning.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate  ;  broadly 
striped,  covered  with  a  downy  or  hoary  bloom;  cavity 
wide  ;  calyx  small,  basin  shallow,  plaited  ;  flesh  firm, 
brisk,  sub-acid.  For  cooking.  English. 

HUBBARDSTON  NONESUCH.  Large,  round-ovate, 
largest  at  the  middle,  nearly  regular;  color  with  small 
broken  stripes  and  numerous  dots  of  light  rich  red  on  a 
rich  yellow  ground  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  one  inch  long ; 
cavity  acute,  russeted ;  calyx  open,  basin  ribbed ;  flesh 
yellowish,  very  rich,  slightly  sub-acid,  with  a  strong  mix- 
lure  of  a  rich  sweet,  flavor  excellent.  Early  winter.  Equal 
to  the  Swaar  in  richness,  superior  to  the  Baldwin  in  fla- 
vor. Shoots  rather  slender,  grey.  A  native  of  Hub- 
bardston,  Mass. 

JONATHAN.  Medium  in  size,  round-ovate,  or  approaching 
truncate-conical ;  regular ;  nearly  covered  with  brilliant 

" the  fair  Permain 

Tempered,  like  comliest  nymph,  with  red  and  white  "— Phittips. 

8 


168  WINTER    APPLES 

stripes  of  clear  red  on  a  pale  yellow  ground  ;  stalk  slen- 
der ;  basin  very  distinct,  rather  deep  ;  flesh  white,  very 
juicy,  spicy,  sub-acid,  moderately  rich.  Keeps  through  win- 
ter. Shoots  slender,  diverging;  tree  very  productive;  fruit 
always  handsome  and  fair.  A  native  of  Kingston,  N.  Y. 

Kentish  Filbasket.  Very  large,  roundish,  slightly  ribbed, 
greenish  yellow,  slightly  streaked,  sub-acid  ;  only  cook- 
ing. English. 

Kirk's  Lord  Nelson.  Large,  roundish,  regular ;  striped 
light  red  on  greenish  yellow,  rather  acid,  flavor  not  high. 
Early  winter.  Handsome.  English. 

Laquier.  (Syn.  Lacker.)  Rather  large,  oblate,  somewhat 
irregular  ;  striped  light  and  dark  red  on  greenish  yellow ; 
with  conspicuous  whitish  specks  ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long; 
basin  furrowed;  flesh  white,  fine-grained,  firm,  crisp,  fresh, 
mild,  agreeable,  sub-acid.  Keeps  through  winter.  Cultiva- 
ted in  western  New- York  ;  originally  from  Lancaster,  Pa. 

Limber  Twig.  (Sytt.  James  River.)  Large,  dull  red,  flesh 
yellowish,  very  compact,  not  high-flavored,  but  cultivate.* 
in  the  south  and  west  for  its  keeping  properties.  Tho 
tree  is  ill-shapen,,  with  pendant  branches,  whence  its 
name.  Distinct  from  the  Willow  Twig. 

Lucombe's  Seedling.  Rather  large,  roundish,  slightly  an- 
gular, somewhat  conical ;  greenish  yellow  in  the  shade, 
dashed  and  spotted  with  carmine  in  the  sun  ;  stalk  short ; 
basin  small,  plaited  ;  flesh  whitish,  firm,  not  high  flavored. 
Late  autumn  and  early  winter.  A  handsome,  English, 
culinary  fruit,  of  third  quality. 

Margill.  Very  small,  slightly  angular,  dull  yellow  and 
orange;  streaked  and  mottled  with  red  ;  firm,  high  fla- 
vored, aromatic  ;  growth  slow.  English. 

MARSTON'S  RED  WINTER.  Large,  roundish  oval,  regular, 
slightly  narrowed  to  each  end,  smooth ;  striped  with 
bright  red  and  crimson  on  yellow  ground ;  stalk  half  an 
inch  long,  slender,  cavity  russeted  ;  basin  abrupt,  round, 
smooth  ;  flesh  yellowish,  fine-grained,  tender,  juicy, 
high-flavored.  Ripens  through  winter.  Origin,  New 
Hampshire.  New. 


WINTER    APPLES.  169 

McLELLAN.  (Syn.  Martin.)  Medium  in  size  or  rather 
large,  nearly  round,  smooth,  regular;  striped  and  mottled 
with  lively  clear  red  on  yellow  ground ;  stalk  three-fourths 
of  an  4nch  long,  slender,  cavity  narrow ;  basin  narrow, 
waved;  seeds  small;  flesh  nearly  white,  fine-grained, 
very  tender,  slightly  sub-acid,  agreeable,  but  not  very 
rich.  Early  winter.  Very  productive.  A  native  of  Con- 
necticut. New. 

Minister.  Large,  rather  irregular,  oblong-conical,  ribbed, 
surface  more  or  less  wavy,  base  broad,  apex  very  narrow ; 
very  distinctly  striped  with  red  on  greenish  yellow  ground; 
stalk  one  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  usually  wide,  shallow, 
and  irregular  ;  flesh  yellowish,  moderately  rich,  sub-acid, 
flavor  second  rate.  Productive,  fair,  and  showy.  Early 
winter.  Shoots  somewhat  flexuous. 

MOTHER.  Large,  oblong-ovate,  approaching  conical ; 
slightly  and  obtusely  ribbed;  color  a  high  warm  rich 
red  on  yellow  ground  ;  deep  red  to  the  sun, — in  obscure 
broken  stripes  and  spots ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  cavity  moderate  ;  basin  small,  plaited ;  flesh  yellow, 
more  so  towards  the  outside,  moderately  juicy,  rich,  very 
spicy,  very  mild  sub-acid,  with  an  admixture  of  sweet. 
Somewhat  resembles  the  Esopus  Spitzenburgh  in  exter- 
nal appearance,  and  in  its  rich  yellow  flesh  and  spiciness, 
but  nearly  sweet  in  flavor,  and  less  agreeable.  Late 
autumn  and  early  winter.  Origin,  Worcester  Co.,  Mass. 

Murphy.  Rather  large,  round-oblong  or  round-ovate  ;  dis- 
tinctly striped  with  bright  rich  red  on  rich  yellow  ;  stalk 
one  inch  long,  cavity  wide,  rather  obtuse  ;  basin  narrow ; 
flesh  yellowish,  mild  sub-acid,  good.  Early  winter.  A 
native  of  Salem,  Mass. 

Norfolk  Beaufin.  Large,  flat,  dark  dull  copper  colored  01 
livid  red  in  faint  stripes;  stalk  short,  fleshy;  basin 
plaited,  shallow;  flesh  hard,  rather  acid,  poor  flavor.  Only 
for  drying.  Winter.  English. 

NORTHERN  SPY.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  conical,  often 
flattened,  sometimes  slightly  ribbed,  handsomely  striped 
with  red ;  stalk  and  calyx  deep  set ;  flavor  mild  agreeable, 
mild  sub-acid,  fine.  Keeps  through  winter  and  late  into 


170  WINTER    APPLES. 

spring ;  preserves  its  flavor  remarkably  fresh.  Shoots 
dark,  spotted,  erect,  stout.  To  afford  fine  fruit,  the  tree 
must  be  kept  thrifty  by  good  cultivation.  A  native  of  East 
Bloomfield,  N.  Y. 

Pennock.  (Syn.  Pennock's  Red  Winter.)  Large,  roundish, 
sometimes  slightly  oblong,  flattened  at  ends,  oblique ; 
color  deep  dull  red,  with  large  white  dots ;  stalk  rather 
slender;  flesh  coarse,  slightly  sub-acid,  rather  rich,  with  a 
slight  mixture  of  bitter  and  sweet,  second  or  third  rate. 
Very  liable  to  dry  rot.  Popular  in  southeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, from  its  large  size  and  showy  appearance. 

Pound.  Very  large,  round-oblong,  striped  red  on  greenish 
yellow,  stalk  short,  flavor  poor. 

Priestley.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish-oblong,  some- 
times nearly  round ;  light  dull  red  in  small  stripes  and 
numerous  dots,  with  a  dense  bloom;  stalk  one  inch  long; 
basin  small,  furrowed  ;  flavor  sub-acid,  spicy,  good  second 
rate.  Growth  upright. 

PRYOR'S  RED.  (Syn.  Pryor's  Pearmain.)  Medium  or  rather 
large,  roundish,  irregular,  varying,  apex  often  broad, 
sometimes  narrow,  considerably  or  slightly  ribbed ;  color 
dull  brick  red  on  greenish  yellow  in  dots,  shades,  and 
obscure  streaks,  slightly  russeted  ;  stalk  long  or  short, 
cavity  small ;  calyx  open,  basin  narrow ;  flesh  very 
tender,  mild,  rich,  sub-acid,  agreeable.  Resembles  in 
texture  and  flavor  the  Westfield  Seeknofurther.  Highly 
esteemed  in  Indiana,  Kentucky,  and  Virginia, — where  it 
keeps  till  spring, — and  succeeds  well  further  north. 

RAWLE'S  JANNET.  (Syn.  Rawle's  Jenneting,  Neverfail, 
Rockremain.)  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  approaching 
oblong  or  obtuse  conical,  often  oblique  ;  color  pale  red 
distinct  stripes  on  light  yellow  ground ;  stalk  half  an 
inch  long ;  flesh  nearly  white,  fine,  rich,  mild,  sub-acid, 
fine  texture,  crisp,  juicy,  compact,  about  first  rate. 
Growth  slow ;  a  profuse  bearer,  with  a  portion  of  the 
crop  knotty  or  under  size.  Keeps  through  spring.  Highly 
esteemed  in  the  Ohio  valley ;  does  not  succeed  farther 
north.  The  blossoms  open  ten  days  later  than  usual, 


WINTER    APPLES.  171 

thus  sometimes  escaping  spring  frosts  ;    and   hence  the 
name  Neverfail. 

RED  CANADA.  (Syn.  Nonsuch,  Old  Nonsuch  of  Mass., 
Richfield  Nonsuch  of  Ohio.)  Medium  in  size,  roundish- 
conical,  regular  ;  nearly  the  whole  surface  covered  with 
red,  and  interspersed  with  large  and  rather  indistinct 
whitish  dots  ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  in  a  very  wide 
and  even  cavity ;  basin  nearly  even,  moderate ;  flesh  fine 
grained,  compact,  with  a  rich  sub-acid,  high  and  excellent 
flavor.  Keeps  through  winter.  Shoots  rather  slender, 
leaves  wavy.  Productive  ;  fruit  smooth  and  fair.  Suc- 
ceeds equally  in  New  England,  New  York,  and  Ohio. 
This  is  wholly  distinct  from  the  Nonsuch  of  England,  to 
prevent  confusion  with  which,  the  name  Red  Canada 
is  preferred. 

Red  Gilliflower.  (Syn.  Scolloped  Gilliflower.)  Large,  flat- 
tish-conical,  sometimes  inclining  to  roundish  or  ovate- 
conical,  very  irregular  and  strongly  ribbed ;  striped  with 
dull  dark  red  on  greenish  yellow  ground ;  usually  more 
or  less  blotched  with  dark  spots  or  scabs ;  stalk  half  to 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long;  basin  very  irregular  or 
strongly  ribbed ;  flesh  fine-grained,  compact,  rich  green- 
ish yellow,  and  with  a  fine,  spicy,  sub-acid  flavor.  Al- 
though of  fine  quality,  the  fruit  is  rarely  fair,  and  the 
tree  is  unproductive  ;  hence  it  is  little  cultivated. 

Redstreak.  Medium  size,  roundish,  rich  red  and  yellow  in 
streaks  ;  flesh  yellowish,  rich,  firm,  dry.  For  cider  only. 

Scarlet  Nonpareil.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  regular,  yel- 
lowish green,  the  sunny  side  deep  red,  stalk  rather  large  ; 
flesh  firm,  rich,  acid.  English. 

SPITZENBURGH,  ESOPUS.  Rather  large,  round-ovate 
slightly  conical ;  surface  a  high  rich  red,  rather  obscurely 
striped ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  rather  slen- 
der;  basin  shallow,  slightly  furrowed  ;  flesh  yellow,  firm, 
crisp,  spicy,  rather  acid,  nearly  unequalled  in  its  high 
rich  flavor.  Keeps  through  winter.  Shoots  ascending 
and  erect,  rather  slender,  leaves  crenate.  Usually  a  mode- 
rate bearer.  Succeeds  best  in  New- York,  its  native 
state. 


172 


WINTER    APPLES, 


WINTER    APPLES.  173 

Spitzenburghj  Flushing.  Rather  large,  round-conical,  red 
on  greenish  yellow ;  calyx  small,  basin  even ;  flesh  white, 
nearly  sweet,  pleasant,  good  second  rate.  Early  winter. 
Growth  strong. 

Spitzenburgh^  Kaighrfs.  Rather  large,  oblong-ovate ;  some- 
what conical ;  striped  with  red  on  yellow ;  stalk  slender, 
one  inch  long,  cavity  small,  acuminate  ;  basin  rather 
deep ;  rather  coarse.  Proves  to  be  a  good  second-rate 
fruit  at  Cincinnati,  but  north  and  east  is  unworthy  of  cul- 
tivation. Keeps  through  winter.  Growth  irregular.  Ori- 
gin, New-Jersey. 

Spitzenburgh,  Newtow?i.  Medium  size,  roundish-oblate, 
smooth ;  a  fine  red  cheek,  with  a  few  streaks  of  deeper 
red,  on  clear  yellow  ;  stalk  short ;  basin  wide,  even ;  fles> 
yellowish,  firm,  flavor  mild,  agreeable.  Origin,  Newtowr. 
Long  Island. 

VANDEVERE.  Medium  in  size,  round-oblate,  regular ;  color 
light  red  in  indistinct  streaks  on  yellow  ground,  often  a 
high  red  where  exposed  ;  dots  numerous  ;  stalk  uniform- 
ly about  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  and  basin  wide ;  flesh 
light  yellow,  with  a  rich,  mild,  sub-acid,  excellent  flavor. 
Early  winter.  Not  always  fair — succeeds  best  on  light 
soils.  Shoots  spotted;  leaves  doubly  serrate-crenate. 
Origin,  Wilmington,  Del. 

WAGENER.  Medium  or  rather  large,  oblate,  obscurely 
ribbed,  shaded  and  indistinctly  striped  with  pale  red,  and  a 
full,  deep  red  in  the  sun,  on  warm  yellow  ground ;  often 
streaked  with  russet ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long, 
cavity  wide,  rather  obtuse;  basin  even,  rather  large  ;  flesh 
yellowish,  very  fine  grained,  tender,  compact,  mild,  sub- 
acid,  very  aromatic,  excellent.  Ripens  through  winter. 
A  native  of  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.  New- 

Watson's  Dumpling.  Very  large,  nearly  ronnd,  regular; 
yellowish  green,  faintly  striped ;  stalk  short ;  flesh  juicy, 
pleasant,  sub-acid.  For  cooking.  Early  winter.  English. 

Wells  Apple.  Rather  large,  roundish-conical,  slightly  ob- 
late ;  bright  yellowish  green  and  red ;  basin  shallow ; 


174 


WINTER   APPLES. 


WINTER    APPLES  175 

sprightly  sub-acid.     Fine  baking.     Shoots  slender ;  tree 
very  productive.     Central  Ohio. 

WESTFIELD  SEEKNOFURTHER.  (Syn.  Connecticut  Seekno- 
further,  New-England  Seeknofurther.)  Medium  or  large, 
roundish,  often  slightly  conical,  obscurely  striped  with 
light  dull  red,  more  or  less  russeted,  rarely  covered  wholly 
with  russet ;  stalk  slender  ;  calyx  partly  open  ;  flesh  ten- 
der, rich,  spicy,  of  fine  flavor.  Early  and  mid-winter. 
Tree  productive,  fruit  always  fair.  Leaves  sharply  ser- 
rate. Succeeds  well  throughout  the  northern  states  and 
Ohio. 

Willow  Twig.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  conical,  obtuse, 
very  regular  ;  greenish  yellow,  striped  and  mottled  faint- 
ly with  dull  red ;  stalk  short ;  basin  very  wide  and  deep, 
rim  obtuse ;  flavor  sub-acid  or  rather  acid,  not  rich.  A 
long  keeper.  Shoots  very  slender.  Cultivated  much  as 
a  market  apple  in  southern  Ohio. 

Wine.  (Syn.  Hays'  Apple,  Hays'  Winter.)  Rather  large, 
often  quite  large,  roundish,  slightly  flattened ;  obscurely 
striped  and  mottled  with  -red  on  yellow  ground  ;  stalk 
quite  short,  cavity  deep,  acuminate ;  calyx  large,  open, 
basin  large  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  with  a  rich  sub-acid  or 
rather  acid  flavor.  Early  winter.  There  are  several  spu- 
rious varieties  under  this  name. 

Winesap.  Size,  medium ;  round-ovate,  slightly  conical, 
sometimes  obscurely  flattened ;  color  a  lively  deep  red  ; 
stalk  slender,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  acute ; 
calyx  small,  in  a  finely  plaited  basin  ;  flesh  yellowish, 
firm,  crisp,  with  a  rich  sub-acid  or  rather  acid  flavor. 
Keeps  through  winter.  One  of  the  best  apples  for 
baking.  Growth  rather  irregular,  fruit  always  fair. 
Differs  from  the  Jonathan,  in  its  smaller  size,  yellower 
flesh,  smaller  basin,  and  rather  inferior  quality. 

Winter  Pear  main.  (Syn.  Autumn  Pearmain,  erroneously, 
Old  Pearmain.)  Size,  medium  ;  oblong-ovate,  ends 
somewhat  flattened  ;  color,  narrow  broken  stripes  of  dull 
red  on  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  half  an  inch  to  one  inch 
long,  quite  slender,  cavity  narrow ;  basin  small,  distinct, 

8* 


176 


WINTER    APPLES. 


WINTER    APPLES.  177 

wrinkled ;  flesh  dull  yellow,  or  greenish  yellow,  tender, 
with  a  pleasant,  sub-acid,  lemon  flavor.  Does  not  freeze 
easily. 

Winter  Queen.  (Syn.  Winter  Queening.)  Me'diura  size, 
conical,  base  broad ;  deep  crimson  in  the  sun,  a  lively 
pale  red  in  the  shade.  Stalk  slender,  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  cavity  wide;  flesh  yellowish,  mild  sub-acid, 
rather  pleasant.  Productive.  Early  winter.  N.  J. 

Yorkshire  Greening.  Rather  large,  oblate,  slightly  ribbed ; 
dull,  dark  green,  slightly  tinged  and  striped  with  muddy 
brown  and  dull  red  ;  stalk  short,  thick ;  cavity  and 
plaited  basin,  shallow ;  flesh  firm,  greenish  white,  juicy 
acid.  Through  winter.  A  fine  English  culinary  apple. 

Section  II. — Not  striped. 

ALBEMARLE  PIPPIN.  Size,  medium  or  rather  large,  nearly 
round ;  yellow  with  brown  specks  ;  flesh  pale  yellow, 
sub-acid,  with  a  very  fine  flavor.  Keeps  well.  Cul- 
tivated chiefly  in  Virginia,  and  in  great  abundance  in 
Albemarle  County,  at  the  foot  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  is 
sent  to  the  Richmond  market. 

Alfriston.  Large,  roundish,  a  little  ribbed,  slightly  conical, 
pale  greenish  yellow,  slightly  russeted,  stalk  short,  ten- 
der, rather  acid,  third  rate. 

Bedfordshire  Foundling.  Large,  roundish,  green,  stalk 
short,  calyx  open,  flesh  yellowish,  pleasant  acid,  cooking. 
Early  winter.  Handsome. 

BELMONT.  (Syn.  Gate,  Waxen  of  Coxe  ?)  Rather  large, 
roundish  conical  or  ovate-conical,  apex  usually  narrow, 
but  sometimes  quite  obtuse  ;  faintly  ribbed,  smooth ;  color 
clear  pale  yellow,  with  sometimes  a  light  vermillion 
blush;  and  rarely  with  large  thinly  scattered  carmine 
dots  ;  stalk  varying  from  half  an  inch  long  and  stout,  to 
an  inch  or  more  long  and  slender;  basin  in  conical 
specimens,  narrow  and  shallow ;  in  obtuse  specimens, 
narrow  and  deep,  with  an  obtusely  ribbed  rim ;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  compact,  crisp,  becoming  quite  tender, 
with  a  mild,  rich,  sub-acid,  fine  flavor.  Leaves  crenate. 


178  WINTER    APPLES. 

Early  winter.  A  profuse  bearer.  Excellent  in  New 
York,  Michigan,  and  northern  and  central  Ohio — worth- 
less at  Cincinnati. 

The  identity  of  this  fruit  with  the  Waxen  of  Coxe,  not 
having  been  established,  the  old  name  Belmont,(of  Ken- 
rick)  extensively  used  in  most  places  where  it  is  culti- 
vated, is  here  adopted. 

BorsdorfT.  (Syn.  Borsdorffer.)  Small,  roundish  oval,  apex 
slightly  conical ;  pale  yellow,  with  a  full  rod  cheek ;  stalk 
short,  slender;  basin  very  shallow,  small,  even;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  firm,  crisp,  with  a  rich,  brisk  flavor. 
Early  winter.  German. 

Bourassa.  Rather  large,  ovate-conical,  ribbed,  somewhat 
irregular,  a  rich  orange  russet  on  a  rich  golden  surface, 
dark  reddish  brown  to  the  sun  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  cavity  small,  irregular  ;  basin  small  and  narrow  ; 
flesh  fine-grained,  sub-acid,  rich,  fine.  Succeeds  well  far 
north. 

BULLOCK'S  PIPPIN,  or  AMERICAN  GOLDEN  RUSSET.  (Syn. 
Golden  Russet,  Sheepnose.)  Rather  small,  conical,  li^ht 
yellow,  sprinkled  and  sometimes  overspread  with  thin 
russet ;  stalk  long,  slender ;  basin  very  small  and  nar- 
row ;  ribbed  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  very  fine  grained, 
becoming  very  tender,  with  a  mi!d,  rich,  slightly  sub-acid 
flavor.  Growth  erect,  shoots  rather  slender ;  leaves 
sharply  serrate ;  tree  overbears.  Early  winter.  When 
well  ripened,  this  apple  is  exceedingly  delicate  and  ten- 
der; sometimes  it  does  not  become  soft  in  ripening,  when 
the  quality  is  poor,  and  often  worthless.  It  is  too  small 
to  become  very  popular. 

Canada  Reinette.  (Syn.  Reinette  du  Canada,  Canadian 
Reinette.)  Quite  large,  somewhat  conical  and  flattened  ; 
rather  irregular,  ribbed,  apex  obtuse ;  greenish  yellow, 
sometimes  a  brown  cheek  ;  stalk  short,  cavity  wide  ;  calyx 
large,  basin  rather  deep,  irregular;  flesh  nearly  white, 
rather  firm,  becoming  quite  tender,  juicy,  with  a  good, 
lively  sub-acid  flavor.  Early  and  mid-winter. 

The  White  Pippin  of  southern  Ohio,  closely  resembles  the 
Canada  Reinette  in  form,  and  may  prove  identical. 


WINTER    APPLES.  179 

Catshead.  (Syn.  Cathead  Greening.)  Very  large,  round,* 
pale  green,  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  deep,  basin 
wide,  deep  ;  tender,  sub-acid  ;  flavor  rather  poor. 

Court  of  Wick.  Rather  small,  regular,  round-ovate,  slight- 
ly flattened  ;  greenish-yellow,  with  an  orange  red  cheek ; 
stalk  short ;  calyx  open,  basin  wide,  shallow  ;  flesh  crisp, 
juicy,  with  a  high  acid  flavor.  Hardy,  suited  for  the  ex- 
treme north.  English. 

Cranberry  Pippin.  Rather  large,  regular,  oblate,  very 
smooth ;  color,  a  beautiful  blush  on  pale  clear  yellow, 
often  with  large  red  dots  on  the  su,nny  side ;  stalk  slen- 
der, three-fourths  of  an  inch  long;  calyx  deep  set,  basin 
round,  with  a  full  obtuse  rim  ;  flesh  white,  sub-acid, 
second-rate  flavor.  Early  winter.  Exceedingly  beauti- 
ful ;  resembles  Maiden's  Blush,  but  later,  and  not  equal 
in  quality. 

Cumberland  Spice.  Rather  large,  varying  from  roundish- 
conical  to  long  conical,  the  tapering  sides  being  nearly 
straight  and  not  rounded  ;  color,  waxen  yellow,  with  a 
slight  vermillion  tinge  near  the  base ;  and  with  black 
specks  on  the  surface  ;  stalk  half  to  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  cavity  wide,  slightly  russeted  ;  calyx  epent  ba- 
sin even  ;  flesh  yellowish-white,  breaking,  rather  light ; 
core  hollow  ;  flavor  mild  sub-acid,  with  a  peculiar  and 
agreeable  spiciness,  of  good  second-rate  quality.  This 
has  been  confounded  with  the  Ortley  or  White  Detroit  oi 
the  west,  but  is  quite  distinct. 

Aunt  Hannah.  Size  medium,  roundish,  approaching  ovate, 
straw  color,  with  a  very  pleasant  mild  sub-acid,  fine  fla- 
vor, resembling  in  character  the  Newtown  Pippin.  Ori- 
gin, Essex  county,  Massachusetts. 

English  Golden  Russet.  (Syn.  Golden  Russet  of  New- 
York.)  Size  medium  ;  roundish,  usually  a  little  oblong, 
sometimes  slightly  flattened,  nearly  regular ;  surface 
sometimes  wholly  a  thick  russet ;  and  at  others  a  thin 
broken  russet  on  a  greenish-yellow  skin  ;  stem  slender, 
from  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  long,  being  longest  on  ob- 

*  " the  CatVHead's  weighty  orb 

Enormous  of  its  growth." — Pn.il.ips. 


180  WINTER    APPLES. 

late  specimens  ;*  flesh  fine  grained,  firm,  crisp,  with  a 
rich,  aromatic  flavor.  Shoots  speckled;  tree  rather  ir- 
regular. Keeps  through  winter.  This  is  distinct  from 
the  English  Russet,  of  straight  upright  growth,  and  a 
very  long  keeper ;  and  from  the  A?nerica?i  Golden  Rus- 
set or  Bullock's  Pippin. 

ENGLISH  RUSSET.  (Syn.  Poughkeepsie  Russet. )  Medium 
in  size,  roundish-conical  or  roundish-ovate,  regular ;  sur- 
face more  or  less  overspead  with  brownish  russet  on  light 
greenish  yellow  ground ;  in  large  exposed  specimens, 
wholly  russeted  ;  stalk  one-half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  cavity  moderate,  round ;  basin  smooth  ;  flesh  green- 
ish or  yellowish  white,  texture  fine,  rather  firm,  with  a 
rather  rich,  aromatic,  sub-acid  flavor.  Keeps  through 
spring,  and  often  through  summer  for  twelve  months. 
Growth  upright,  shoots  lively  brown.  A  profuse  bearer. 
A  profitable  market  variety. 

It  is  distinguished  from  the  English  Golden  Russet  and 
Roxbury  Russet,  by  its  straight  upright  shoots ;  and  from 
the  Roxbury  by  its  less  flat  form,  and  less  acid  flavor. 

Fallawater.  Rather  large,  roundish,  and  slightly  ovate- 
conical,  very  regular,  smooth ;  color,  a  smooth  shade  of  dull 
red  on  light  greenish  yellow,  Avith  a  few  large,  whitish 
dots  ;  stalk  slender,  cavity  narrow,  acuminate ;  basin 
small ;  flesh  greenish  white,  fine-grained,  with  a  mild, 
slightly  sub-acid,  good  second-rate  flavor.  Early  winter. 
A  native  of  Pennsylvania. 

Fenouillet  Gris.  (Syn.  Pomme  d'Anis.)  Small,  roundish, 
slightly  flattened,  russeted  on  yellow  ground  ;  calyx  small; 
flesh  firm,  perfumed,  anise-flavored.  Leaves  very  small, 
growth  weak  and  slender. 

Fenouillet  Jaune.  (Syn.  Embroidered  Pippin.)  Small, 
regular,  bright  yellow,  with  russet  net-work  ;  stalk  short, 
calyx  small ;  flesh  firm,  with  a  high,  aromatic  flavor. 
Tree  low.  Through  winter. 

Fenouillet  Rouge.  Rather  small,  regular,  roundish,  a  little 
flattened  ;  dark  brown  red  on  greyish  ground  ;  stalk  short ; 
with  a  firm  flesh,  and  rich,  perfumed  flavor. 

*  In  all  instances,  where  apples  vary  from  oblate  to   a  more  elongated  form,  the 
stem  is  longer  in  the  oblate  specimens. 


WINTEK    APPLES.  181 

FORT  MIAMI.  Rather  large,  roundish-oblong,  flattened  at 
the  ends,  widest  at  base  ;  uneven,  somewhat  ribbed ;  color 
dull  brown,  obscurely  russeted ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  cavity  rather  wide,  irregular  ;  basin  furrowed  ; 
flesh  yellowish  white,  crisp,  and  of  exceedingly  high, 
spicy,  sub-acid  flavor.  Keeps  through  spring.  Ohio.  New. 

Golden  Ball.  Large,  often  quite  large,  roundish,  remotely 
conical,  ribbed  ;  fine  yellow ;  stalk  short,  slender,  with 
fine  green  rays  or  furrows  radiating  from  the  centre  of  the 
cavity ;  basin  very  shallow ;  flesh  tender,  rich,  aromatic. 
Ripens  late  in  autumn,  and  keeps  through  winter.  Liable 
to  vary  in  size  and  fairness.  Excellent  for  cooking. 
Tree  very  hardy ;  a  poor  bearer.  Cultivated  chiefly  in 
Maine. 

Golden  Harvey.  Small,  roundish,  irregular  ;  dull  russet  on 
yellow ;  a  reddish  cheek ;  calyx  open,  stiff ;  flesh  of  fine 
texture,  spicy,  rich,  sub-acid.  Keeps  through  winter. 
Growth  slender. 

Golden  Pippin,  English.  Small,  round,  regular,  rich 
yellow,  dots  in  the  form  of  short  cross-bars  ;  stalk  long, 
slender ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  yellow,  rich,  with  a  fine, 
sub-acid,  first-rate  flavor.  Keeps  through  winter. 

Green  Seeknofurther.  (Syn.  Seeknofurther,  of  Coxe.) 
Large,  often  quite  large,  roundish,  slightly  approaching 
oblong  obtuse  conical ;  greenish  yellow  becoming  yellow, 
specks  large  and  conspicuous ;  stalk  very  short ;  calyx 
large,  basin  slightly  ribbed,  deep;  flesh  rather  coarse, 
sub-acid  or  rather  acid,  of  good  flavor.  This  differs  from 
the  White  Seeknofurther  of  New  England,  in  its  larger 
size,  more  conical  form,  coarser  texture,  and  inferior 
quality.  Growth  strong  and  vigorous,  upright. 

Lady  Apple.  (Syn.  Pomme  d'Api.)  Quite  small,  regular, 
flat ;  a  brilliant  deep  red  cheek  on  light  clear  yellow  ; 
stalk  and  calyx  deep  set ;  flesh  tender,  delicate,  sub-acid, 
flavor  good.  A  fancy  apple.  Winter  and  spring.  Shoots 
small,  dark,  erect.  Productive.  Subject  to  fire-blight  in 
some  localities. 


182  WINTER    APPLES. 

Lady  Apple,  black.  Resembles  the  preceding  in  form,  but 
nearly  black,  and  destitute  of  good  flavor.  Cultivated 
only  as  a  curiosity,  from  its  almost  inky  blackness. 

London  Pippin.  Large  or  very  large,  roundish,  slightly 
flattened,  obtuse-conical;  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  very 
short ;  calyx  large,  in  a  smooth  even  basin ;  flesh  sub- 
acid,  of  a  good  second  rate  flavor.  Early  winter.  Much 
cultivated  in  northern  Virginia ;  and  from  its  large  size 
and  handsome  appearance  sells  in  the  Washington  market 
for  about  twice  as  much  as  any  other  sort.  Productive. 

Male  Carle.  (Syn.  Mela  Carla,  Pomme  de  Charles.)  Me- 
dium size,  regular,  slightly  conical ;  smooth,  clear  pale 
waxen  yellow,  with  a  brilliant  crimson  cheek  ;  stalk  one 
inch  long,  slender ;  basin  rather  narrow  and  deep ;  flesh 
tender,  moderately  juicy,  with  a  delicate  flavor.  A 
native  of  Italy;  succeeds  in  the  middle  States,  unsuccess- 
ful in  New  York  and  New  England.  Early  winter. 

Michael  Henry  Pippin.  Size,  medium ;  roundish-ovate, 
apex  narrow  ;  yellowish  green  ;  stalk  short,  rather  thick  ; 
basin  narrow;  flesh  yellow,  tender,  juicy,  high  flavored. 
Growth  upright.  Through  winter.  Origin,  Monmouth 
Co.,  N.  J. 

Monstrous  Pippin.  (Syn.  Gloria  Mundi,  Ox  Apple,  Balti- 
more.) Very  large,  roundish,  somewhat  flattened  at  the 
ends,  slightly  angular  or  ribbed  ;  skin  smooth  whitish 
green,  becoming  whitish  yellow  ;  stalk  stout,  short  ; 
calyx  large,  basin  wide,  deep,  somewhat  ribbed,  with  an 
obtuse  rim  ;  flesh  white,  tender,  rather  coarse,  with  a 
sub-acid,  not  rich,  second  or  third  rate  flavor.  Late 
autumn  and  early  winter. 

Mouse.  (Syn.  Moose.)  Large,  rounish-oblong  or  slightly 
ovate  conical  ;  pale  green  becoming  greenish  yellow, 
with  a  brownish  blush;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  rather  slender;  basin  narrow,  slightly  plaited  ;  flesh 
white,  fine-grained,  spongy,  delicate,  mild,  sub-acid.  A 
native  of  Ulster  Co.,  N.  Y.  Through  winter. 

NEWTOWN  PIPPIN.  (Syn.  Pippin,  Green  Newtown  Pip- 
pin.) Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish,  oblique,  slightly 


WINTER    APPLES.  183 

irregular,  remotely  conical  or  else  a  little  flattened  ;  dull 
green  becoming  yellowish  green ;  often  with  a  dull 
brownish  blush ;  stalk  short,  deep  set,  and  surrounded  by 
thin,  dull,  whitish  russet  rays ;  basin  narrow,  shallow ; 
flesh  greenish  white,  juicy,  crisp,  fine-grained,  with  a 
high,  fine  flavor.  Keeps  through  spring,  and  retains 
remarkably  its  freshness.  Tree  of  rather  slow  growth, 
with  a  rough  barfc:.  The  fruit  is  very  liable  to  black  spots 
or  scabs,  unless  under  high,  rich,  and  constant  culti- 
vation, with  a  good  supply  of  lime  in  the  soil.  One  of 
the  best  fruits  for  foreign  markets.  A  native  of  New- 
town,  Long  Island,  and  has  rarely  succeeded  well  in 
New-England. 

Newark  King..  Size,  medium ;  conical ;  skin  smooth,  red 
in  streaks  on  yellow  ground ;  flesh  tender,  rather  rich, 
pleasant.  Early  winter.  Origin,  New  Jersey. 

NEWARK  PIPPIN.  (Syn.  French  Pippin.)  Rather  large, 
round-oblong,  regular;  greenish  yellow,  becoming  yellow  ; 
stalk  and  calyx  deep  set ;  flesh  tender,  rich,  and  high- 
flavored.  Growth  crooked,  irregular.  Early  winter. 

Old  Nonpareil.  Eather  small,  round-ovate,  flattened  ; 
greenish  yellow  with  pale  russet,  stalk  slender,  calyx 
small ;  flesh  rich,  acid,  sharp.  Early  winter.  English. 

ORTLEY,  or  WHITE  DETROIT.  (Syn.  Ortley  Pippin,  Warren 
Pippin,  White  Bellflower,  Woolman's  Long,  Detroit, 
Jersey  Greening,  Detroit  of  the  West.)  Large,  roundish, 
somewhat  oblong-ovate,  pale  yellow,  slightly  tinged  with 
pink  in  the  sun ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  sometimes 
short,  but  always  slender ;  cavity  deep  and  narrow ;  basin 
rather  deep,  nearly  even  or  slightly  plaited  ;  flesh  sub- 
acid,  crisp,  sprightly,  rich,  fine,  about  first  rate.  Shoots 
slender. 

PECK'S  PLEASANT.  Large,  often  quite  large,  roundish,  some- 
times remotely  oblong,  often  a  little  oblique,  usually 
slightly  flattened  ;  smooth  and  regular ;  color,  light  green, 
becoming  yellow,  with  a  brown  blush ;  stalk  very  short, 
one-fourth  to  one-half  an  inch  long,  thick,  rarely  longer 
and  somewhat  slender ;  calyx  open,  basin  abrupt,  rather 


184  WINTER    APPLES. 

deep ;  flesh  compact,  very  tender,  with  a  mild,  rich,  fine, 
clear  sub-acid,  Newtown  Pippin  flavor.  Early  winter — 
poor,  if  too  ripe.  Growth  rather  erect,  shoots  somewhat 
diverging ;  a  good  bearer,  fruit  always  fair.  The  fruit 
resembles  the  Yellow  Newtown  Pippin,  but  larger,  fairer, 
and  earlier  in  ripening.  Origin,  Rhode  Island. 

Pickman.  Rather  large,  round,  light  yellow,  with  black 
specks ;  flesh  firm,  juicy.  Through  winter.  A  fine 
culinary  variety. 

Pomme  Grise.  (Syn.  Gray  Apple.)  Rather  small,  roundish- 
oblate,  a  grey  russet ;  stalk  slender,  cavity  wide,  rather 
obtuse ;  calyx  small,  basin  round ;  flesh  very  tender  for 
a  Russet  and  fine-grained,  rich,  and  high-flavored.  Ca- 
nada. One  of  the  best  dessert  apples  for  the  extreme 
north. 

POUND  ROYAL.  (Syn.  Pomme  Royale,  erroneously,  Belle 
Bonne,  of  Conn.)  Large,  roundish,  slightly  oblong,  a 
little  uneven ;  surface  whitish  yellow ;  stalk  slender,  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  long,  cavity  large ;  basin  furrowed, 
irregular  ;  flesh  tender,  breaking,  fine-grained,  mild, 
agreeable,  sprightly.  Ripens  through  winter.  Tree  vigo- 
rous, productive.  Origin,  Pomfret,  Conn. 

RHODE-ISLAND  GREENING.  (Syn.  Greening.)  Large, 
roundish-oblate  ;  green,  becoming  greenish  yellow,  always 
fair,  a  dull  brown  blush  to  the  sun  ;  stalk  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long ;  basin  rather  small,  often  slightly  rus- 
seted ;  flesh  yellow, — a  rich  yellow  if  much  exposed  to 
the  sun,  and  whitish  yellow  or  greenish  white  if  much 
shaded, — tender,  juicy,  with  a  rich  rather  aciJ  flavor. 
Growth  strong,  young  trees  crooked  or  oblique,  shoots 
rather  spreading,  leaves  sharp  serrate  ;  best  on  light  soils ; 
very  productive,  single  trees  often  yielding  forty  bushels 
of  fair  fruit  in  favorable  years,  and  neglected  orchards 
500  bushels  per  acre.  Fine  throughout  the  Northern 
States,  where  it  keeps  through  winter  into  spring ;  but 
fails  from  a  deficiency  in  the  soil,  through  most  parts  of 
central  and  southern  Ohio  ;  and  at  Cincinnati  and  St. 
Louis  becomes  an  autumn  fruit. 


WINTER    APPLES.  185 

Roman  Stem.  Medium  in  size,  round-ovate  ;  whitish  yel- 
low, with  a  faint  brownish  blush  ;  stalk  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  with  a  fleshy  protuberance  at 
insertion  ;  cavity  shallow ;  basin  narrow,  slightly  plaited  ; 
flesh  tender,  juicy,  mild,  sub-acid,  good  second  rate 
flavor.  Keeps  through  winter.  New  Jersey. 

ROXBURY  RUSSET.  (Syn.  Boston  Russet,  Putnam 
Russet  of  Ohio.)  Medium  or  large,  roundish-oblate, 
remotely  conical,  partly  or  wholly  covered  with  rather 
rough  russet  on  greenish  yellow  ground,  sometimes  a 
dull  brown  cheek ;  stalk  one-half  to  an  inch  long,  cavity 
acute  ;  basin  round,  moderate ;  flesh  greenish  white, 
rather  granular,  slightly  crisp,  with  a  good  sub-acid 
flavor.  Keeps  late  in  spring.  Large  specimens  become 
conical,  with  short  thick  stalks ;  small  specimens  are 
more  flat,  and  with  longer  and  more  slender  stalks. 
Growth  spreading,  shoots  downy.  Although  not  of  the 
highest  flavor,  its  productiveness,  uniformly  fair  fruit, 
and  long  keeping,  render  this  variety  one  of  the  most 
profitable  for  orchard  culture.  It  succeeds  well  through- 
out the  Northern  States,  but  partially  fails  in  a  few 
localities  in  Ohio. 

The  Warner  Russet  (new)  resembles  the  Roxbury,  but  is  a 
finer  and  more  vigorous  grower. 

Sam  Young.  Small,  regular,  oblate ;  bright  yellow,  partly 
russetted;  stalk  short;  calyx  large,  open ;  flesh  greenish, 
juicy,  with  a  rich,  fine  flavor.  Early  winter.  Irish. 

Shippen's  Russet.  Large,  roundish-ovate,  flattened,  taper- 
ing to  apex ;  mostly  russeted  on  greenish  yellow  ground, 
tinged  red  in  the  sun;  stalk  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
long,  deep  set;  basin  small;  flesh  rather  spongy,  sub- 
acid  or  rather  acid,  second  rate. 

Surprise.  Small,  round-ovate,  skin  light  yellow,  flesh  light 
dull  red,  flavor  poor.  A  curiosity  on  account  of  its  yellow 
skin  and  red  flesh. 

SWAAR.  Rather  large,  roundish,  slightly  flattened  at  the 
ends,  often  considerably  oblate,  sides  regularly  rounded, 
crown  as  wide  as  base ;  color  greenish  yellow  becoming 
a  rich  yellow,  sometimes  faintly  russeted ;  and  a  small 


186  WINTER    APPLES. 

blush  near  the  base,  when  much  exposed  to  the  sun ; 
stalk  rather  slender,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity 
round,  moderate,  or  often  small ;  basin  small,  even  ;  flesh 
yellowish,  fine  grained,  compact,  tender,  with  a  very  rich, 
mild,  aromatic,  agreeable,  slightly  sub-acid  flavor.  Es- 
teemed by  many  as  the  finest  winter  table  apple.  Ripens 
through  winter  and  keeps  into  spring.  Shoots  ascending, 
buds  large,  leaves  coarsely  rounded  serrate.  Fruit  apt  to 
be  scabby  on  old  overloaded  trees.  Not  successful  in  all 
localities. 

Sweet  and  Sour.  A  middle  sized  fruit,  with  greenish  ribs 
and  whitish  hollows  ;  the  former  sub-acid,  and  the  latter 
with  an  insipid  or  sweet  flavor,  occasioned  by  a  partially 
diseased  action,  not  unlike  that  of  the  whitish  streaks  in 
the  leaves  of  striped  or  ribbon  grass.  The  wildly  absurd 
story  of  raising  this  fruit  by  placing  two  halves  of  dissimi- 
lar buds  together,  is  wholly  fabulous. 

Tewksbury  Blush.  (Syn.  Tewksbury  Winter  Blush.)  Small, 
round-oblate ;  yellow  with  a  red  cheek ;  flesh  yellow, 
juicy,  with  a  good  flavor.  Keeps  till  mid-summer.  Very 
productive.  New-Jersey. 

Victorious  Reinette.  (Syn.  Reinette  Triomphante.)  Large, 
roundish-oblong,  tapering  very  slightly  each  way  from 
the  middle ;  regular,  often  a  little  oblique  ;  pale  yellow, 
with  rough  specks;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  very  deep; 
flesh  yellowish,  rather  firm,  of  second-rate  sub-acid  flavor. 

WHITE  SEEKNOFURTHER.  Size  medium ;  roundish  oblate, 
slightly  obtuse-conical,  very  pale  green  becoming  yellow- 
ish, with  whitish  specks  faintly  ribbed ;  stalk  very  short, 
thick,  cavity  small;  basin  moderate  or  rather  deep,  slight- 
ly ribbed  or  uneven;  flesh  very  fine  grained,  juicy,  mild 
sub-acid,  very  agreeable,  fine  flavor.  Cultivated  in  New- 
England.  Fruit  often  defective.  This  is  distinguished 
from  the  green  Seeknofurther  of  Coxe  by  its  smaller  size, 
and  far  more  delicate  texture. 

White  Winter  Calville.  Large,  rather  flat,  broadly  ribbed, 
irregular  ;  color,  pale  greenish  yellow,  becoming  yellow ; 
stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  deep  set; 


WINTER    APPLES.  187 

basin  deep,  irregular ;  flesh  white,  granular,  tender,  light, 
flavor  faintly  sub-acid,  third-rate.  Early  winter.  French. 
Culinary. 

WINTER  CHEESE.  Medium  in  size ;  green  in  the  shade, 
red  in  the  sun  ;  flesh  very  crisp,  very  tender  and  delicate, 
sprightly,  and  of  a  fine,  pleasant  flavor.  One  of  the  most 
highly  esteemed  early  winter  apples  of  southern  Virginia, 
closely  resembling  the  Fall  Cheese,  but  a  longer  keeper. 
Becomes  mealy  and  insipid  after  maturity. 

WOOD'S  GREENING.  Large,  roundish,  a  little  oblique,  slight- 
ly flattened,  obscurely  conical ;  pale  green,  smooth ;  stalk 
very  short,  cavity  acuminate ;  calyx  rather  large,  basin 
distinct,  slightly  plaited ;  flesh  greenish  white,  or  nearly 
white,  fine  grained,  slightly  crisp,  tender ;  flavor  very 
agreeable,  mild  sub-acid,  first-rate,  but  not  very  rich. 

• 

YELLOW  BELLFLOWER.  (Syn.  Bellflower,  Yellow  Belle- 
fleur.)  Large,  often  quite  large,  oblong-ovate,  apex 
quite  narrow  and  conical,  more  or  less  irregular ;  surface 
pale  yellow,  often  with  a  blusly  stalk  slender  ;  basin 
ribbed;  seeds  long;  flesh  very  tender,  fine  grained,  crisp, 
juicy,  acid,  becoming  sub-acid  ;  excellent.  Keeps  through 
winter.  Shoots  yellowish,  rather  slender,  growth  of  the 
tree  rather  upright ;  succeeds  best  on  rather  light  soils. 
Adapted  to  the  climate  of  the  northern  and  middle  states, 
as  far  south  as  Kentucky,  but  fails  by  premature  dropping 
in  a  few  localities.  More  tart  and  less  rich  in  cold  sum- 
mers, and  far  north. 

YELLOW  NEWTOWN  PIPPIN.  Medium  or  rather  large,  round- 
ish, slightly  oblong  and  oblique,  more  or  less  flattened ; 
yellow,  with  a  brownish  red  cheek,  purplish  before  ripe, 
stalk  very  short ;  flesh  firm,  crisp,  with  a  rich,  mild  fla- 
vor. Closely  resembles  the  Green  Newtown  Pippin,  and 
believed  by  many  to  be  identical,  differing  only  by  a 
warmer  exposure.  It  is  fairer  in  some  localities  than  the 
Green,  but  is  usually  inferior  to  it  in  flavor.  The  growth 
of  the  two  varieties  is  only  distinguished  in  the  large 
trees. 


188  COMPARATIVE    FORMS    OF    APPLES. 

COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  APPLES, 

ON    A    SCALE    ONE-HALF  THE    DIAMETER,  ACCURATELY    REDUCED 
FROM    ACTUAL    SPECIMENS. 


Fig.  125— Herefordshire  Pearmain.        Fig.  126— Winter  Pearmain 


Fig.  127—  Ortiey,  or  White  Detroit.  Fig.  128—  Cumberland  Spice. 


Fig.  V8-Holland  Pippin. 


Fig.  130— Fall  Pippin. 


COMPARATIVE    FAKMS    OF    APPLES. 


189 


Fig.  131. 
Lady  Apple. 


Fig.  132. 
English  Golden  Pippin. 


Fig.  133. 
Early  Red  Margaret. 


Fig.  134.  Fig.  135. 

Two  specimens  White  Juneating.        Tiro  specimens  Ross  Nonpareil. 
Showing  the   tendency  to  elongation  of  the  stalk  as  the  fruit 
.  smaller  size  and  more  oblate  form. 


Fig.  136— Jonathan.    Fig.  137— Carthous*.    Fig.l33—FamtUM. 


190 


COMPARATIVE    FORMS    OF    APPLES. 


Fig.  139. 


Fig.  140. 


Fig.  141. 


Roxbury  Russet.        English  Russet.        Bullock"1  s  Pippin,  or  Am- 

Golden    Russet. 


Fig.  142.  Fig.  143.  Fig.  144. 

Peach  Pond    Sweet.       Jersey  Sweeting.  Leland  Spice. 


Fig.  145.  Fig.  146. 

Am.  Summer  Pearmain.    Garden  Royal. 


Fig  147. 
Late  Strawberry. 


COMPARATIVE   FORMS    OP   APPLES. 


191 


Fig.  148— Maiden'*  Blvsh.  Fig.  UQ—Hawthornden. 

Fig.  150-  White  Seeknofurther.  Fig.  151- Green  Seeknqfurther. 


Fig.  152— Bailey  Sweet. 


Fig.  I5b-Westfield  Seeknofurther. 


192 


COMPARATIVE    FORMS    OF    APPLES. 


Fig.  154 — Summer  Sweet  Paradise. 


Fig.  155— Haskett  Sweet. 


Fig.  155— Sweet  Baldwin. 


Fig   -56—  Mother. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE    PEAR. 


THE  PEAR,  when  grown  to  full  perfection,  is  eminently  dis- 
tinguished for  its  great  delicacy,  its  melting  and  juicy  tex- 
ture, and  by  its  mild,  exceedingly  rich,  and  delicious  flavor. 
Greatly  excelling  the  apple  in  these  particulars,  it  falls  be- 
low it  in  importance  only  in  consequence  of  the  less  uni- 
formly healthy  habit  of  the  tree. 

PROPAGATION. 

The  best  trees  are  raised  from  seedling  stocks  ;  suckers, 
unless  unusually  furnished  with  fibrous  roots,  are  of  crooked, 
one-sided,  and  stunted  growth.  Seedling  pears  are  more 
difficult  to  raise  than  those  of  any  other  kind  of  fruit ;  and 
the  many  disasters  to  which  the  young  trees  are  liable,  have 
caused  a  great  and  general  deficiency,  in  the  midst  of  an 
abundant  supply  of  trees  of  other  kinds  in  the  nurseries  of 
this  country. 

Raising  the  Se&dlings.  The  seeds,  after  separation  from 
the  fruit,  should  be  kept  in  the  way  already  given  for  apple- 
seeds,  by  mixing  with  sand  or  muck.  The  soil  for  the  seed- 
bed, should  be  unusually-deep  and  fertile,  rather  damp  than 
otherwise,  and  should  have  a  good  manuring  with  lime  and 
ashes,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  peat  or  muck,  if  the 
soil  is  not  already  largely  furnished  by  nature  with  this  in- 
gredient. A  correspondent  of  the  Horticulturist  states  that 
he  has  been  eminently  successful  by  the  following  practice : 
First  make  a  deep  trench  with  the  plow,  and  finish  to  the 
required  depth  with  the  spade — two  feet — not  less.  The 
compost  used  to  fill  the  trench  is  made  of  half  a  peck  of  iron 
filings  or  blacksmith's  cinders,  with  half  a  peck  of  slaked 
lime,  and  half  a  peck  of  wood  ashes,  and  a  peck  each  of 
swamp  muck  and  barn-yard  manure,  thoroughly  mixed.with 


194  PROPAGATION    OF    THE    PEAR. 

a  bushel  of  soil  into  a  compost.  J.  Washburn,  of  Plymouth, 
Mass.,  also  furnishes  the  following  statement : — "  I  have  a 
fine  lot  of  pear  seedlings,  which  were  [very  copiously]  ma- 
nured with  compost  in  the  following  proportions : — one  load 
of  muck,  two  loads  of  stable  manure,  two  barrels  of  iron 
'rust,  one  barrel  of  bone-dust,  and  two  barrels  of  wood  ashes. 
The  whole  was  composted  early  in  autumn — applied  in  the 
fall — and  the  seed  sown  the  first  of  May.  Other  seeds  plant- 
ed on  the  same  land  without  this  compost,  but  with  stable 
manure,  have  produced  plants  that  rusted  badly,  and  are  not 
one  quarter  the  size  of  the  first  lot,  which  are  fine,  strong 
stocks." 

The  mode  of  sowing  the  seeds  may  be  the  same  as  that 
described  for  the  apple,  in  drills  one  to  two  feet  apart.  The 
more  thinly  they  are  sown,  the  less  will  be  the  danger  of 
disaster  from  the  leaf  blight ;  and  for  this  reason,  drills  near 
together,  with  the  seeds  somewhat  sparingly  scattered  in 
them,  will  be  found  best. 

The  leaf-blight  is  the  most  serious  evil  met  with  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  pear  seedlings.  Its  immediate  cause  has  not 
been  satisfactorily  explained.  It  is  more  formidable  in  some 
seasons  than  in  others.  Commencing  about  midsummer, 
sometimes  earlier,  but  more  frequently  later,  it  is  first  indi- 
cated by  the  leaves  in  certain  parts  of  the  seed-beds  turning 
brown ;  in  a  few  days  they  fall  off;  other  portions  of  the 
beds  are  successively  attacked,  till  all  the  seedlings  become 
more  or  less  denuded,  those  last  affected  occupying  the  most 
favorable  portions  of  the  soil.  As  a  necessary  consequence, 
growth  immediately  ceases ;  and  if  they  are  attacked  early, 
and  have  made  but  little  previous  growth,  they  are  nearly 
ruined,  and  few  will  survive  the  succeeding  winter,  for  they 
never  make  a  second  growth  the  same  year  of  any  value. 
But  if  their  previous  growth  has  been  vigorous,  and  the 
blight  appears  late  in  summer,  much  less  injury  is  sustained. 
The  best  remedy  is  the  high  cultivation,  with  special  ma- 
nures, already  described. 

Wintering  the  young  seedlings.  The  frequent  destruc- 
tion of  the  trees  the  first  winter,  is  another  serious  evil. 
The  danger  is  least  with  those  that  have  made  the  best 
well  ripened  growth;  hence  it  becomes  very  important 
to  secure  healthful  vigor  by  the  adoption  of  the  compost  and 


PROPAGATION    OF    THE    PEAR.  195 

cultivation  previously  mentioned.  But  in  many  localities, 
pear  seedlings,  which  are  always  remarkably  free  from 
fibrous  or  lateral  roots  the  first  year,  are  drawn  out  by  the 
freezing  of  the  soil,  and  either  destroyed  or  greatly  injured. 
Several  modes  have,  been  proposed  to  prevent  this  result, 
and  have  been  tried  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  One,  is  to 
induce  the  emission  of  lateral  roots,  by  taking  up  the  young 
seedlings  from  the  thickly  sown  beds,  early  in  the  season 
and  as  soon  as  four  leaves  have  appeared,  cut  off  their  tap 
roots,  and  reset  them  in  the  nursery  rows.  Robert  Nelson, 
of  Newburyport,  Mass.,  has  pursued  this  course  with  great 
success ;  but  its  general  utility  may  be  questioned,  except 
during  a  rainy  period  or  on  favorable  soils,  unless  abundant 
watering  is  given.  A  more  easy  as  well  as  safe  mode  would 
perhaps  be  to  cut  off  the  tap  roots,  at  the  same  age,  by 
means  of  a  sharp  spade  thrust  beneath  the  soil,  and  without 
transplanting.  Neither  of  these  modes  could  be  successfully 
applied  except  to  large,  vigorous  seedlings,  growing  in  a 
deep,  rich  soil. 

But  where  the  growth  of  lateral  roots  has  not  been  ef- 
fected, and  the  consequent  danger  greater,  of  their  being 
drawn  upwards  by  frost,  much  protection  may  be  given 
them  by  covering  the  whole  ground  with  forest  leaves  to  a 
depth  of  several  inches ;  and  if  the  rows  are  near  each 
other,  and  the  trees  several  inches  or  a  foot  high,  they  will 
prevent  the  leaves  from  being  swept  off  by  the  winds.  The 
incursion  of  mice  may  be  avoided  by  placing  the  seed-beds 
as  near  as  practicable  to  the  middle  of  a  clean  plowed  field, 
and  by  encircling  the  ground  with  a  bank  or  ridge  of  fresh 
earth,  thrown  up  for  this  purpose,  about  a  foot  high.  Mice 
will  not  pass  such  a  boundary  under  the  snow. 

Taking  up  the  seedlings  late  in  autumn,  and  burying 
them  in  a  cellar,  or  laying  them  in  by  the  roots  and  nearly 
covering  the  whole  stems,  will  preserve  them  safely;  but 
this  mode  is  liable  to  the  objection  of  the  check  in  growth 
necessarily  given  in  transplanting. 

Budding  and  Grafting  may  be  performed  the  second 
summer  if  the  stocks  have  made  a  good  growth.  The  ma- 
nagement of  the  young  trees  is  the  same  as  with  apples,  by 
grafting  or  budding  near  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and 
heading  down,  trimming,  and  cultivation.  But  as  pear 


196  DWARF    PEARS. 

stocks  are  valuable,  budding  is  to  be  preferred  to  grafting, 
because  it  may  be  repeated  in  case  of  failure.  For  the  same 
reason,  root-grafting  the  pear  is  not  adopted,  especially  as 
slightly  unfavorable  causes  are  apt  to  produce  far  greater 
failures  of  such  grafts  than  with  the  apple. 

Propagation  by  Layers,  giving  every  tree  roots  of  its  own 
kind,  is  easily  effected  by  bending  down  a  vigorous  and 
thickly  branched  tree,  and  making  layers  of  every  good 
shoot.  In  two  years  at  furtherest  they  will  furnish  well 
rooted  young  plants. 

DWARF    PEARS. 

For  orchard  culture,  and  in  most  parts  of  the  country  where 
the  pear  flourishes  with  great  vigor  and  proves  highly  pro- 
ductive, pear  stocks  will  doubtless  always  be  found  greatly 
preferable  to  all  others.  The  advantages  of  a  dwarf  growth 
on  dissimilar  stocks,  have  been  already  pointed  out  under 
the  head  stocks.  Such  trees  are  not  so  long-lived  as  on 
pear  roots,  and  they  require  more  thorough  and  fertile 
culture,  and  care  in  pruning.  But  they  have  some  import- 
ant advantages,  such  as  coming  soon  into  bearing,  occupy- 
ing less  than  a  fifth  part  of  the  ground,  thriving  in  many 
soils  where  pear  stocks  will  not,  and  in  a  few  instances  im- 
proving the  quality  of  the  fruit. 

The  stocks  for  dwarfs,  which  have  been  more  or  less  used, 
are  the  mountain  ash,  the  apple,  the  thorn,  and  the  quince. 

Nearly  all  the  experiments  with  the  mountain  ash  have 
sooner  or  later  proved  failures.  Budded  or  grafted  upon 
apple  seedlings,  pears  sometimes  make  a  feeble  growth  for 
a  few  years ;  but  unless  the  grafts  themselves  throw  out 
roots,  by  planting  beneath  the  surface,  they  sooner  or  later 
perish.  It  sometimes  happens  that  grafts  of  a  few  varieties 
inserted  at  standard  height,  grow  and  bear  for  a  series  of 
years.  But  experiments  of  this  sort  are  not  to  be  recom- 
mended, the  few  instances  of  success  only  forming  excep- 
tions to  a  general  rule.  The  thorn  has  been  extensively 
used  in  England,  and  to  some  extent  in  this  country,  with 
considerable  success.  But  all  other  kinds  of  dissimilar  stocks 
have  given  way  to  the  quince,  which  is  regarded  as  much 
superior  for  general  use  to  any  other.  Of  the  different  sorts 
of  quince,  the  Orange  quince  has  proved  the  best. 


DWARF    PEARS.  197 

The  varieties  of  the  pear  do  not  grow  with  equal  facility 
upon  the  quince.  A  few,  as  the  Duchesse  d'Angouleme, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  and  Beurre  Diel,  are  so  much  im- 
proved in  quality  that  their  cultivation  on  pear  stocks  is 
wholly  discontinued  by  skilful  fruit  growers.  A  larger  num- 
ber flourish  well,  but  are  little  changed  in  quality,  as  White 
Doyenne  and  Dearborn's  Seedling.  A  few,  on  the  other 
hand,  succeed  badly  or  wholly  refuse  to  grow  upon  quince 
stocks,  without  double  working,  which  consists  in  first  bud- 
ding some  freely  growing  pear  upon  the  quince  bottom,  and 
then  budding  or  grafting  the  "  refractory"  sort  into  the  pear 
shoot. 

As  a  general  rule,  double-worked  trees  do  not  flourish 
for  a  great  length  of  time.  Single-worked  have  done  well 
for  30  or  40  years  under  favorable  influences. 

The  following  list,  made  out  chiefly  from  the  combined 
experience  of  European  and  American  cultivators,  may  prove 
valuable  to  those  commencing  with  dwarf  pears  : 

Pears  succeeding  best  on  the  quince. 

Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey,  Long  Green  of  Jlutumn, 

Beurre  Diel,    '  Early  Rousselet, 

Duchesse  d'dngouleme,  Stevens'  Genesee, 

Easter  Beurre,  Fortunee, 

Beurrt  d'dmalis,  Glout  Morceau, 

Vicar  of  Winkfield,  Chauiuontelle. 

Pears  usually  succeeding  well  on  both  quince  and  pear. 

Van  Mons'  Leonle  Clerc,  Summer  Franc  Real, 

Jaminette,  Plombgastel, 

Belle  Lucrative,  Tyson, 

Harvard,  Doyenne  d'Ete, 

Queen  of  Low  Countries,  Bon  Chretien  Fondante, 

Dearborn's  Seedling,  Onondaga, 

Rostiezer,  Osband's  Summer, 

Oswego  Beurre,  Buffum, 

Bartlett,  Bloodgood, 

Napoleon,  Madeleine, 

Capiaumont,  Compte  de  Lamy, 

White  Doyenne,  Duchesse  d'Orleans, 

Grey  Doyenne,  Forelle, 

Jargonelle,  Jersey  Gratioli, 

St.  Germain,  Passe  Colmar, 

Beurre  d'Aremberg,  Delices  d'Hardenpont. 


198  DWAKF    PEARS. 

Pears  succeeding  on  the  quince  only  by  double-working. 

Beurre  Pose,  Beurre  Ranee, 

Marie  Louise,  Ne  Plus  Meuris, 

Gansel's  Bergamot  Thompson's, 

Dix,  Dunmore, 

Flemish  Beauty.  Hacon's  Incomparable, 

Knight's  Monarch,  Winter  Nelis  and  Seckel,  inmost 

Suffolk  Thorn,  instances,  but  sometimes  suc- 

Crassane,  Winter  and  Althorpe,         ceeding. 

Urbaniste, 

The  result  is  not  always  the  same  in  different  soils  and 
in  different  seasons.  The  Seckel,  for  instance,  has  wholly 
failed  in  one  year,  and  in  another,  on  the  same  spot  of 
ground,  has  grown  well.  The  White  Doyenn;  grew  fine- 
ly one  summer,  and  almost  totally  failed  the  next.  Some 
sorts  which  in  nearly  all  cases  do  well,  occasionally  prove 
unsuccessful.  A  few,  uniformly,  in  all  seasons  and  in 
all  soils,  make  a  rapid  and  vigorous  growth,  of  which  the 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  is  perhaps  the  most  striking  ex- 
ample ;  some  others,  again,  invariably  fail,  (unless  double- 
worked,)  the  most  prominent  among  which  stands  the 
Beurre  Bosc.  Indeed,  so  averse  is  this  variety  to  a  union 
with  the  quince,  that  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  it  may 
not  soon  fail  if  worked  in  whatever  manner.  In  some  places, 
however,  double-working  has  given  it  smooth  and  fair  fruit 
where  it  has  been  cracked  and  blighted  on  the  pear.  Both 
this  and  the  Flemish  Beauty,  as  wrell  as  the  Marie 
Louise,  and  some  others,  succeed  well  when  grafted  on  the 
hawthorn. 

The  changes  wrought  by  the  quince  stock,  are  often  im- 
portant and  interesting.  T.  Rivers  states  that  the  Beurre 
d'Arernberg  ripens  several  wreeks  earlier  in  winter;  that  the 
Easter  Beurre  is  rendered  more  productive  and  matures  its 
fruit,  while  on  the  pear  it  is  a  bad  bearer,  and  does  not 
ripen  ;  that  the  Fortunee  is  a  "perfect  crab  "  upon  the  pear, 
but  on  the  quince  is  melting  and  juicy;  that  the  Glout  Mor- 
ceau  is  imperfect  and  ripens  badly  on  the  pear,  but  is  always 
fair  and  attains  a  high  and  mature  flavor  on  quince.  As  a 
general  effect,  the  size  of  the  fruit  is  increased,  but  in  a  few 
cases  it  is  rendered  more  gritty  in  texture. 

Unfavorable  soils  occasionally  preclude  the  cultivation 
of  some  pears,  but  for  the  favorable  influence  of  the  stock. 


DWARF    PEARS. 


190 


Thus,  at  Dorchester,  Mass.,  on  Long  Island,  and  in  some 
other  places,  the  White  Doyenn6  only  succeeds  well  upon 
the  quince. 

The  stocks  of  dwarf  pears  should  be  wholly  beneath  the 
surface  to  avoid  the  borer,  which  avoids  the  pear. 

Pruning  Dwarf  Pears.  Dwarf  pear  trees  are  usually 
pruned  into  the  pyramidal  and  conical  form,  the  latter  only 
differing  in  its  broader  shape.  The  an- 
nexed figure  exhibits  these  forms  dis- 
tinctly. The  principle  to  be  adopted  in 
pruning  has  been  already  explained  on 
page  90 ;  the  extent  to  which  it  must  be 
carried,  should  be  such  as  to  keep  the 
trees  within  ten  or  twelve  feet  in  height, 
and  from  four  to  six  feet  in  diameter  at 
the  base.  A  greater  height  increases  the 
difficulty  of  pruning.  The  same  reason 
forbids  the  adoption  of  a  head  with  a  clean 
stem  below,  as  in  common  standards. 

The  pyramidal  mode  of  pruning  may 
be  applied  to  pear  trees  upon  pear  stocks, 
provided  the  luxuriance  of  growth   is  re- 
tarded by  a  triennial  root-pruning.  With- 
out this,  it  would  be  difficult  to  prevent  too  great  a  growth 
of  shoots,  while  the  roots  remained  at  their  full  extent  and 
vigor,  and  sufficient  fruit  fulness  would  not  be  induced. 
Dwarf  trees  may  be  planted  at  a  distance  of  six  to  ten 

feet    apart.      They  will 
always  need  careful  at- 
tention to  pruning,  and 
—  •      to  thorough  and  enriched 
cultivation  of  the  ground. 
Horizontal  training, 
for  walls  or  espaliers,  is 
*^*~   very  rarely  practiced  or 
needed  in  this  country. 
"""It    is    occasionally  em- 
ployed    in    limited   gar- 

i         *  f*  ••  i 

dens,    to   torm   bouncia- 
Fi-158-  ries    of  walks,    without 

occupying  much  lateral  space,  and  where   it  is  desired  to 


Fig.  157. 


T 


200  GATHERING  AND  KEEPING  PEARS* 

grow  large  and  fine  specimens  of  fruit  by  strong  exposure 
to  the  sun.  The  mode  may  be  briefly  understood  by  the  ac- 
companying figure  representing  a  partly  grown  tree.  As 
the  tree  advances,  shoots  will  be  produced  from  the  sides  of 
the  horizontal  arms ;  these  must  be  stopped  or  pinched  off 
early  in  summer,  to  prevent  their  drawing  too  hard  on  the 
rest  of  the  tree,  and  a  similar  course  pursued  with  them  to 
that  described  on  page  90  of  this  work.  The  fruit-buds, 
and  all  the  shoots  or  spurs  supporting  fruit-buds,  are  to  be 
cut  closely  off  wherever  too  thick  for  an  even  crop.  Early 
in  autumn  the  shortened  shoots  are  to  be  cut  down,  leaving 
the  fruit-buds,  only,  to  bear  the  next  season.  By  this  regu- 
larity of  pruning,  the  tree  will  preserve  a  neat  appearance, 
and  bear  regular  crops. 

The  horizontal  branches  may  be  about  one  foot  apart  for 
large  pears,  and  eight  inches  for  small ;  and  the  trees,  if  on 
quince  roots,  may  be  about  10  feet  apart. 

GATHERING    AND    KEEPING    THE    FRUIT. 

Nearly  all  pears  ripen  with  a  much  finer  flavor  if  picked 
and  matured  in  the  house.  The  exceptions  are  very  few. 
Some,  which  prove  only  second  or  third  rate  when  allowed 
to  remain  till  they  soften  on  the  tree,  become  rich,  melting, 
and  delicious  if  house-ripened.  Gathering  the  fruit  while 
yet  hard,  will  in  nearly  all  cases  prevent  or  greatly  diminish 
the  rotting  at  the  core,  which  otherwise  nearly  destroys  the 
value  of  many  early  sorts. 

Winter  pears  should  hang  upon  the  tree  as  late  as  safety 
will  allow,  and  when  gathered  should  be  kept  in  a  cool 
room  till  near  their  usual  period  of  maturity,  when  the  ripen- 
ing is  to  be  completed  in  a  warm  room,  at  a  temperature  of 
60  or  70  degrees.  They  should  be  kept  covered  to  prevent 
shrivelling.  Some  cultivators  have  wholly  repudiated  win- 
ter pears,  merely  from  a  want  of  skill  in  the  management  of 
their  ripening,  or  the  want  of  a  good  cellar  to  keep  them  in. 
Some  sorts,  however,  as  the  Beurra  d'Aremberg,  require 
but  little  care  ;  others,  as  the  Vicar  of  Winkfield  need  par- 
ticular attention.  But  the  transfer  from  the  cool  to  the  warm 
room  is  of  great  importance  to  most,  and  will  convert  tough 
and  hard  specimens  into  those  which  are  juicy,  melting,  and 
excellent. 


DISEASES    OF    THE    PEAR    TREE.  201 

DISEASES    AND    ENEMIES. 

Blight.  A  most  formidable  difficulty  in  the  cultivation  of 
the  pear,  is  the  blight,  known  in  its  modifications,  supposed 
or  real,  by  the  names  fire-blight,  insect-blight,  frost-blight, 
and  frozen  sap-blight.  The  causes  may  be  various,  but  the 
apearances  are  the  same, — a  sudden  withering  and  turning 
black  of  the  leaves  on  certain  limbs  during  rapid  growth, 
and  while  the  rest  of  the  tree  remains  apparently  in  full 
vigor,  the  evil  extending  downwards,  unless  naturally  or 
artificially  checked,  till  the  whole  tree  is  destroyed. 

After  a  close  investigation  for  years,  by  the  most  skilful 
cultivators  of  the  country,  a  satisfactory  explanation,  appli- 
cable to  all  cases,  has  not  been  made. 

The  earlier  theory  was,  that  the  hot  rays  of  the  sun  pro- 
duced the  disaster,  and  hence  the  original  name  fire-blight. 
This  was  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  the  blight  was  often 
most  fatal  in  the  hottest  summers ;  and  weakened  by  the 
opposing  fact  that  shaded  portions  of  the  tree  were  as  fre- 
quently attacked  as  those  fully  exposed  to  the  action  of  the 
hot  sun. 

It  was  subsequently  discovered  that  a  small  insect,  (Sco- 
lytis  pyri,)  by  the  supposed  infusion  of  poison,  caused  the 
death  of  the  branches,  but  no  general  or  wide  destruction  of 
the  pear  could  be  traced  to  this  source. 

More  recently,  the  frozen-sap  theory  has  been  extensively 
adopted.  The  explanation  by  this  theory  is  as  follows : — 
A  damp  and  warm  autumn  causes  a  late  and  unripened 
growth  of  wood,  imperfectly  able  to  withstand  the  effects  of 
winter.  It  is  acted  upon  by  severe  frosts,  not,  however,  so 
as  to  produce  immediate  death  or  winter-killing,  but  so  as 
to  result,  sooner  or  later,  in  disease  and  partial  decomposi- 
tion of  the  sap,  by  which  it  becomes  poisonous  in  its  nature, 
and  by  passing  downwards  through  the  bark,  spreads  death 
in  its  progress.* 

This  theory  is  corroborated  by  many  local  observations, 
and  by  the  general  fact  that  the  blight  is  much  more  de- 

*  A  modification  of  the  frozen-sap  blight,  known  sometimes  by  the  name  of  frost- 
blight,  occurs  early  in  summer,  immediately  after  unusuul  and  sharp  nocturnal  frosts. 
The  young  and  tender  shoots  and  the  branches  below  them,  are  observed  to  die  sud- 
denly wiihiu  a  few  days,  but  protracted  in  some  instances  to  several  weeks.  The 
sap  from  the  dead  limbs  does  not  in  this  case  appear 'to  be  so  deleterious  as  in  other 
forms  of  blight,  and  although  sometimes  destroying  large  portions  of  trees,  they  more 
frequently  escape  after  a  partial  loss  of  their  tops. 


202  DISEASES    OF    THE    PEAR    TREE. 

structive  in  the  warm  and  fertile  valleys  of  southern  Ohio, 
where  vegetation  continues  late,  is  more  succulent  in 
its  texture,  and  where  the  frosts  are  sudden  and  sharp,  than 
in  the  dryer  and  cooler  climate  of  New  England.  But  this 
same  reason  is  also  adduced  in  support  of  the  original  fire- 
blight  theory,  and  indeed  it  applies  with  strength  to  both. 

But  after  admitting  that  the  different  theories  may  be  in 
part  correct,  and  that  the  blight  may  be  caused  by  a  combi- 
nation in  a  greater  or  less  degree  of  each  assigned  cause, 
we  are  driven  to  the  conclusion,  from  a  large  number  of 
observations,  of  which  these  limits  wholly  preclude  even  a 
brief  recital,  that  the  cause  of  the  blight,  like  that  of  the  po- 
tato disease,  remains  hi:!  in  a  large  number  of  instances  from 
our  knowledge.  And  that,  whether  the  latent  tendency  to 
disease  is  only  increased  and  developed  by  changes  of  the 
Weather,  or  whether  those  changes  actually  produce  them, 
is  yet  enveloped  in  doubt. 

Happily,  however,  the  remedy  is  not  obscured  in  uncer- 
tainty. For  whether  by  an  insect,  or  by  the  poisonous  in- 
fluence of  the  descending  juices,  its  progress  must  be  ar- 
rested by  an  immediate  excision  of  the  dead  branches.  And, 
as  the  poison  passes  downwards  some  time  before  its  effects 
are  visible  externally,  the  amputation  must  be  made  two  or 
three  feet  below  the  affected  part,  if  the  poison  as  well  as 
the  dead  part,  is  to  be  removed.  Equally  necessary  is  it, 
that  the  infection  of  the  diseased  limbs  be  removed  as  speedi- 
ly as  possible  out  of  the  way,  by  burning. 

This  remedy  cannot  be  effectual,  unless  very  promptly 
and  fearlessly  applied.  Many  cultivators,  in  fear  of  mutila- 
ting their  trees,  do  not  cut  low  enough,  and  leave  the  seeds 
of  death  remaining  in  the  tree.  Others  delay  the  applica- 
tion of  the  remedy  for  a  number  of  days,  till  cure  is  hope- 
less. In  extensive  and  malignant  cases,  the  disaster  may 
be  difficult  to  subdue  even  by  the  most  prompt  measures ; 
but  in  ordinary  instances  entire  success  will  follow.  In  any 
event,  it  will  be  better  to  cut  away  and  burn  by  successive 
portions  a  whole  tree,  than  to  lose  it  entire  by  this  disease, 
a  result  equally  certain,  with  the  added  evil  of  spreading 
the  malady. 

Two  contiguous  neighbors  had  each  a  large  pear  orchard  ; 
one  of  them  neglectei  all  attention,  the  other  spent  ten 


DISEASES    OF    THE    PEAR    TREE.  203 

minutes  daily  in  the  examination  of  all  his  trees,  and  incut- 
ting  out  freshly  diseased  limbs.  The  former  lost  many  en- 
tire trees  ;  the  latter  saved  every  one,  and  kept  his  orchard 
nearly  clear. 

Young  trees  in  close  rows  have  been  attacked  successively 
till  all  perished;  in  other  rows  where  the  affected  trees 
were  quickly  removed,  few  of  the  remainder  suffered. 

Washing  the  affected  parts  with  a  solution  of  potash  and 
sulphate  of  iron,  (or  copperas,^)  has  in  some  cases  arrested 
the  disease,  or  destroyed  the  peculiar  fermented  odor  which 
attends  its  more  malignant  forms,  and  by  which,  perhaps,  it 
is  sometimes  spread. 

Among  preventives,  a  good,  rich,  firm,  and  dry  soil,  and  a 
site  favoring  the  early  ripening  of  the  wood,  and  adverse  to 
a  late  succulent  growth,  hold  unimportant  rank.  The  bark 
of  the  pear  is  evidently  of  a  very  delicate  structure,  and  it 
becomes  more  able  to  resist  changes  and  disease  as  the 
growth  is  moderately  vigorous,  and  healthy  and  matured. 

The  attempt  has  been  made  to  select  those  varieties  least 
liable  to  blight,  but  results  vary  so  exceedingly,  that  nearly 
all  efforts  have  proved  fruitless.  But  among  those  which 
have  escaped  in  the  largest  number  of  instances  may  be 
named,  first,  the  Seckel,  which  is  scarcely  ever  destroyed 
even  at  Cincinnati,  and  the  White  Doyenne.  The  Made- 
leine and  Passe  Colmar  appear  to  be  more  liable  than  the 
majority  of  sorts. 

Dwarf  pear  trees  are  not  usually  so  subject  to  blight  as 
others. 

Cracking  of  the  fruit  has  been  ahead}?1  adverted  to  under 
the  head  of  soils  and  special  manures,  and  the  remedy  point- 
ed out.  It  usually  appears  in  the  form  of  a  thick  coating 
of  black  rust,  spreading  over  the  surface,  when  partly  grown, 
causing  the  skin  to  crack,  shrivel,  and  dry  up. 


204  CLASSIFICATION    OF    PEARS. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  ARRANGEMENT. 


DIVISION  I.  SUMMER  PEARS. 

Class  I.  Distinct  pyriform. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section   II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  II.   Obscure  pyriform,  obovate,  or  turbinate. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section   II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  III.  Roundish  or  oblate. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section    II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

DIVISION  II.  AUTUMN  PEARS. 

Class  I.  Distinct  pyriform. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section    II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  II.  Obscure  pyriform^  obovate,  or  turbinate. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section    II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  HI.  Roundish  or  oblate. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section    II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.  Small. 


CLASSIFICATION    OF    PEARS.  205 

DIVISION  III.  WINTER  PEAKS. 

Class  I.  Distinct  pyriform. 

Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section   II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  II.   Obscure  pyriform,  obovate,  or  turbinate. 
Section     I.  Large  pears.     . 
Section   II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

Class  IIL  Roundish  or  oblate. 
Section     I.  Large  pears. 
Section   II.  Medium  in  size. 
Section  III.   Small. 

VARIETIES. 

The  quality  of  pears  is  remarkably  liable  to  change  from 
external  causes.  A  difference  in  soil  and  cultivation  exerts 
so  great  an  influence  with  many  fine  sorts,  that  while  they 
possess  the  highest  flavor  when  growing  on  favorable  ground 
kept  rich  and  mellow,  they  become  greatly  inferior  or  even 
worthless  in  poor  soil  with  neglected  culture.  Besides 
these,  there  are  other  influences  dependant  on  a  change  of 
locality,  all  of  which  taken  together,  have  contributed  to  the 
great  diversity  of  opinion  which  exists  in  relation  to  many 
celebrated  varieties.  The  experienced  pomologist  will  hence 
perceive  the  difficulty  of  weighing  evidence  for  and  against 
the  different  sorts,  and  of  expressing  a  degree  of  quality 
that  shall  coincide  with  the  opinions  of  all. 

It  will  be  understood,  that  the  quality  given  on  the  fol- 
lowing pages,  refers  only  to  pears  tested  in  this  country. 
Some  European  varieties,  which  maintain  a  high  character 
at  home,  prove  of  no  value  here. 

In  describing  pears,  it  may  be  well  to  repeat  that  the  term 
base  applies  in  all  cases  to  the  part  nearest  the  tree  ;  and 
apex,  to  the  part  most  remote.  This  is  in  accordance  with 
universal  practice  among  eminent  botanists.  The  apex  is 
usually  termed  the  crown;  and  it  is  sufficiently  evident 
that  the  crown  (upper  portion  or  surmounting  part,}  cannot 
at  the  same  time  be  the  base. 


206 


SUMMER    PEARS. 


Fig.  154— Bartktt.  Fig.  155—BIcodgood. 


SUMMER   PEARS.  20< 

DIVISION  I.— SUMMER  PEARS. 

CLASS  I. — DISTINCT  PYRIFORM. 
Section  I. — Large-  Pears. 

BARTLETT.  (Syn.  Williams'  Bonchretien.)  Quite  large 
obtuse-pyriform,  slightly  obconic,  surface  wavy,  clear  yel- 
low, sometimes  a  faint  blush ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  stout,  slightly  sunk ;  basin  little  or  none ;  apex 
slightly  plaited,  sometimes  smooth ;  flesh  nearly  white, 
very  fine-grained,  exceedingly  tender  and  buttery,  with  a 
nearly  sweet,  sometimes  faintly  sub-acid,  perfumed,  fine, 
moderately  rich  flavor.  Ripens  end  of  summer  and  be- 
ginning of  autumn  ;  and  far  north,  is  strictly  an  autumn 
pear.  The  fruit,  when  not  fully  grown,  ripens  and  be- 
comes of  good  quality  if  kept  in  the  house  a  week  or  two. 
Growth  erect,  vigorous,  leaves  folded,  slightly  recurved; 
shoots  yellowish.  Tree  very  productive,  and  bears  very 
young.  Although  not  of  the  first  class  as  to  flavor,  the 
many  fine  qualities  of  this  pear  render  it  a  general  favo- 
rite. 

Belle  of  Brussels.  (Syn.  Belle  de  Bruxelles,  Beauty  of 
Brussels,  Belle  d'Aout,  Belie  of  August.)  Rather  large, 
sometimes  only  medium,  neck  rather  long,  slender,  and 
somewhat  obconic  ;  surface  smooth,  rich  yellow  with 
greenish  specks,  slightly  reddened  in  the  sun  ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  half  long,  rather  stout,  fleshy  at  ends  ;  calyx 
scarcely  sunk ;  flesh  white,  with  a  third-rate  flavor.  Very 
handsome,  but  worthless.  Late  summer.  Belgian. 

Jargonelle,  (English.}  (Syn.  Epargne,  Real  Jargonelle.^) 
Rather  large,  long  pyriform,  neck  rather  slender,  acute, 
body  nearly  round,  or  slightly  ovate  in  large  specimens  ; 
surface  greenish  yellow,  with  a  dull  brownish  cheek  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  three-fourths  long,  curved,  obliquely  in- 
serted ;  calyx  large,  rather  erect,  basin  very  small ;  flesh 
rather  coarse,  juicy,  with  a  pleasant,  refreshing  sub-acid, 


208  SUMMER    PEARS. 

second-rate  flavor.  Ripens  about  two  weeks  after  har- 
vest, and  three  weeks  or  more  before  the  Bartlett.  -  Shoots 
large,  dark  brown,  becoming  rather  crooked.  The  fruit 
rots  badly  at  the  core  unless  ripened  in  the  house.  Ol 
French  origin. 

French  Jargonelle.  (S2/?z..Bellisime  d'Ete,  Supreme,  Sum- 
mer Beauty,  Red  Muscadel.)  Size,  medium ;  pyriform, 
approaching  obovate  ;  skin  shining,  light  green,  becoming 
lemon  yellow,  with  a  rich,  deep  red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  fourth  long,  slightly  sunk ;  basin  shallow ;  flesh 
white,  coarse,  breaking,  sweet,  flavor  third  rate.  Rots  at 
the  core.  Ripens  with  the  English  Jargonelle.  Growth 
strong,  upright.  Handsome  and  worthless. 

Windsor.  (Syn.  Summer  Bell.)  Large,  very  distinct  py- 
riform, body  somewhat  ovate  or  conical ;  skin  green  or 
greenish  yellow,  sometimes  a  dull  brownish  cheek ;  stalk 
nearly  two  inches  long,  fleshy  at  insertion,  not  sunk ; 
calyx  erect  or  closed,  sunk  little  or  none ;  flesh  rather 
coarse,  slightly  acid  and  astringent,  of  poor  flavor.  Rots 
at  the  core.  Ripens  middle  of  8  mo.,  (Aug. )  Valueless, 
but  has  been  cultivated  on  account  of  its  size  and  beauty, 
and  the  free  growth  and  productiveness  of  the  tree. 

Sectio?i  II. — Medium  in  size. 

BRANDYWINE.  Size  medium  ;  obconic-pyriform,  neck  acute; 
smooth,  dull  yellowish  green,  partly  russeted,  crown  thick- 
ly russeted  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
fleshy  at  insertion ;  flesh  white,  very  juicy  and  melting, 
of  fine  flavor.  Leaves  rather  small,  shoots  pale  olive, 
vigorous,  upright ;  tree  very  productive.  A  native  of 
Delaware  Co.,  Pa.  New. 

Summer  Thorn.  (Syn.  Epine  d'Ete.)  Size  medium;  pyri- 
form, approaching  obconic-turbinate ;  surface  smooth, 
greenish  yellow,  a  little  darker  and  sometimes  reddened 
towards  the  sun ;  stalk  stout,  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a 
fourth  long,  not  sunk,  fleshy  at  insertion  ;  calyx  short, 
basin  plaited,  very  shallow ;  flesh  tender,  melting,  with 
a  third  rate  flavor.  Resembles  a  small  Jargonelle.  Shoots 
yellowish  brown. 


SUMMER    PEARS.  209 

TYSON.  Size  medium,  often  rather  large,  obconic-pyriform, 
sometimes  approaching  obconic-obovate  ;  bright  yellow, 
with  a  reddish  brown  softly  shaded  cheek,  often  some  rus- 
set ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  inserted  into  a  fleshy 
prominence  abruptly  contracted  from  the  rounded  neck ; 
basin  very  shallow,  even ;  flesh  of  fine  texture,  buttery, 
very  melting,  juicy  ;  flavor  nearly  sweet,  aromatic,  slightly 
perfumed,  excellent.  Ripens  the  last  two  weeks  of  sum- 
mer. Shoots  quite  dark  brown,  erect,  vigorous.  The 
tree  does  not  come  soon  into  bearing.  A  native  of  Pa. 

Winship's  Seedling.  Size  medium,  obconic-pyriform ;  pale 
lemon  yellow,  faintly  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  slender,  curved,  not  sunk ;  calyx  closed,  basin 
round;  juicy,  melting,  pleasant,  second-rate.  Late  sum- 
mer. Shoots  yellowish.  Boston,  Mass. 

Section  III.— Small. 

Early  Rousselet.  (Syn.  Rousselet  Hatif,  Early  Catherine, 
Cyprus  Pear,  Kattern.J  Rather  small ;  neck  narrow, 
acute  ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  fleshy  at 
insertion  ;  surface  yellow,  with  a  reddish  brown  cheek  ; 
calyx  small,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  sweet,,  pleasant,  per- 
fumed. Ripens  v.*ith  the  Jargonelle,  and  immediately 
after  the  Madeleine.  A  second-rate  fruit. 

Skinless.  (Syn.  Sanspeau.)  Rather  small,  long  pyriform, 
body  conic-ovate,  regular;  skin  smooth,  very  thin,  yel- 
lowish green,  often  dotted  with  reddish  brown  in  the  sun; 
stalk  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender,  curved,  ca- 
vity very  small;  calyx  closed  or  erect,  basin  minute, 
slightly  ridged ;  flesh  half  melting,  juicy,  with  a  sweet, 
slightly  perfumed,  good  second-rate  flavor.  Ripens  im- 
mediately after  the  Madeleine,  or  two  weeks  after  har- 
vest. Growth  very  vigorous,  erect,  leaves  flat,  wavy.  A 
profuse  bearer;  fruit  always  fair.  Valuable. 

The  Summer  Frankreal,  Madeleine,  and  Julienne,  of  the 
next  class,  slightly  approach  this  class  in  form. 


210  SUMMER    PEARS. 


CLASS  II. — OBSCURE  FYRIFORM,  ' OBOVATE  OR  TURBINATE. 
Section  L — Large  Pears. 

Leech's  Kingsessing.  Rather  large  ;  obovate,  approaching 
obtuse-pyriform ;  green,  with  darker  patches ;  stalk  an. 
inch  long,  sunk  little  or  none  on  the  obtuse  base  ;  calyx 
small,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  buttery,  delicate,  rich.  End 
of  summer.  Tree  slightly  thorny,  shoots  upright,  vigor- 
ous, greenish  yellow.  Origin,  Philadelphia. 

Smith's  Moyamensing.  Medium  or  large,  sometimes  quite 
large,  variable;  round-obovate,  rather  irregular;  skin 
lemon  yellow,  sometimes  marked  with  russet ;  stalk  near- 
ly an  inch  long,  fleshy  ;  basin  furrowed  ;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  good,  but  not  first-rate.  Ripens  from  midsum- 
mer till  autumn.  Productive.  Origin,  Philadelphia.  Dr. 
Brincklo  observes,  that  this  pear,  like  many  others  of  its 
season,  must  be  eaten  by  the  chronometer,  and  if  taken 
exactly  at  the  right  period,  is  of  first  quality. 

Section  IT. — Medium  in  size. 

BLOODGOOD.  Size  medium  ;  turbinate,  approaching  obo- 
vate, base  contracted  abruptly  to  the  stalk  ;  yellow,  touched 
with  russet;  stalk  fleshy  at  insertion,  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  set  on  the  rounded  base  without  depression  ;  calyx 
scarcely  sunk ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  buttery  and  melt- 
ing, with  a  fine  rich,  aromatic  flavor.  Sometimes  rots  at 
the  core.  On  some  soils,  the  flavor  becomes  poor  and 
insipid.  Ripens  immediately  after  Jargonelle  and  Skin- 
less, or  the  first  half  of  S  mo.,  (A.ug.)  Like  all  early 
pears,  it  is  best  if  house-ripened. 

Crawford.  Size,  medium  ;  obovate  ;  light  yellow,  with  a 
brown  cheek;  flesh  white,  buttery,  sweet,  with  a  third- 
rate  flavor.  Late  summer.  Scotch. 

Julienne.  Size,  medium  ;  obovate,  sometimes  slight!}'  pyri- 
form,  regular  ;  whole  surface  clear  yellow  ;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  rather  stout,  cavity  small ;  calyx  small,  erect  or 
closed,  basin  rather  shallow  ;  flesh  half  buttery,  sweet,  of 


SUMMER    PEARS.  211 

good  second-rate  flavor,  but  often  poor  on  heavy  soils. 
Late  summer.  Shoots  yellowish.  Productive,  and  bears 
when  very  young. 

Limon.  Size  medium;  obovate,  slightly  pyriform;  light 
yellow,  with  a  reddish  brown  blush ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long ;  cavity  round,  even,  shallow ;  calyx  slightly 
sunk  ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  of  fine  texture,  with  a  mild, 
sweet,  slightly  perfumed  flavor.  Late  summer.  Shoots 
long,  slender,  reddish  brown.  Belgian. 

MADELEINE.  (Syn.  Citron  des  Cannes,  Magdelen,  Green 
Chisel,  incorrectly.)  Medium  in  size,  obconic-obovate, 
obcurely  pyriform ;  skin  smooth,  pale  yellowish  green, 
rarely  a  faint  brownish  blush ;  stalk  slender,  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  cavity  very  narrow  and  small ;  basin  very 
shallow ;  flesh  very  juicy  and  melting,  usually  faintly 
acid,  with  an  agreeable,  delicate,  fine,  refreshing  flavor. 
Matures  about  midsummer,  or  at  the  time  of  wheat  har- 
vest. Needs  house-ripening.  Shoots  straight,  erect, 
greenish,  growth  vigorous;  tree  rather  liable  to  blight. 
Leaves  quite  flat. 

Muscadine.  Size  medium ;  short  obovate,  regular,  some- 
times slightly  oblique ;  surface  a  little  rough,  yellowish 
green,  thickly  dotted;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long, 
rather  stout,  cavity  very  small,  even ;  basin  rather  wide, 
shallow  ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  a  little  coarse,  rather 
rich,  slightly  musky,  faintly  astringent,  good  second  or 
nearly  first-rate.  Ripens  end  of  summer,  and  early  in 
autumn.  Shoots  rather  thick.  Origin,  Orange  County, 
New-York. 

Osband's  Summer.  (Syn.  Summer  Virgalieu,  erroneously.) 
Medium  in  size,  often  rather  small,  obovate,  regular, 
smooth  and  even  ;  sometimes  remotely  pyriform  ;  green- 
ish yellow  becoming  yellow,  with  a  reddish  brown  cheek, 
often  faintly  russeted  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  one  inch 
long,  slightly  sunk  in  a  nearly  even  cavity ;  calyx  erect, 
in  a  round,  nearly  even,  or  slightly  wrinkled  basin;  flesh 
white,  granular,  with  a  sweet,  mild,  and  fine  flavor.  First 
rate  in  its  best  state,  but  soon  loses  its  flavor  when  ma- 


212 


SUMMER    PEARS. 


Fig.  159 — Summer  Frankreal. 


Fig.  IQQ—Rostiezer.  Fig.  161—  Tyson. 


SUMMER    PEAKS.  213 

ture.     Ripens  early  in  8  mo.   (Aug.)     Shoots  yellowish 
olive,  thick.     Origin,  Wayne  Co.,  N.  Y. 

ROSTIEZER.  Rather  small,  sometimes  medium  in  size; 
obconic-pyriform,  approaching  obovate,  regular;  skin  dull 
brownish  green,  with  a  dark,  dull,  reddish  brown  cheek 
to  the  sun,  with  whitish  specks,  and  traces  of  thin  russet ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  to  two  inches  long,  slender, 
scarcely  sunk ;  basin  little  or  none  ;  flesh  juicy,  melting, 
sweet,  with  a  very  high,  perfumed  flavor,  of  high  excel- 
lence. Ripens  late  in  summer.  For  rich  flavor,  it  has 
scarcely  an  equal  among  summer  pears.  Shoots  dark. 

Sugar  of  Hoyersworda.  (Syn.  Sucree  de  Hoyerswerda.) 
Size,  medium ;  obovate,  approaching  short  pyriform ; 
smooth,  pale  yellowish  green ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  scarcely  sunk;  basin  small;  flesh  white,  juicy, 
sweet,  second-rate.  End  of  summer.  Needs  house- 
ripening.  Profusely  productive.  Shoots  long,  olive  brown, 
leaves  narrow. 

Sugar  Top.  (Syn.  July  Pear,  Prince's  Sugar.)  Size  me- 
dium, roundish-obconic,  turbinate,  regular ;  skin  yellow, 
with  light  green  specks,  rarely  a  very  faint  brownish 
blush ;  stalk  stout,  fleshy  at  insertion,  an  inch  and  a  half 
long;  basin  small;  flesh  sweet,  tender,  rather  breaking, 
becoming  mealy,  third  rate  in  flavor.  Very  productive. 
Ripens  about  midsummer,  a  few  days  after  the  Made- 
leine. 

SUMMER  FRANKREAI..  (Syn.  Franc  R£al  d'Ete.)  Size  me- 
dium, short-obovate,  slightly  pyriform,  with  a  very  short 
obtuse  neck,  body  slightly  conical,  or  tapering  to  the 
•  crown ;  green,  becoming  pale  yellowish  green,  often  a 
faint  yellowish  brown  blush;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  thick,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  closed,  basin  fur- 
rowed ;  flesh  white,  fine-grained,  buttery,  melting,  rich, 
excellent.  Late  summer  and  early  autumn.  Shoots  and 
leaves  rather  downy,  leaves  large. 

Summer  St.  Germain.  Medium  size,  obovate;  pale  green; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  oblique ;  basin  very 
shallow  or  none ;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  sweet,  faintly  acid, 
second-rate. 


214 


SUMMER    PEAKS. 


SUMMER    PEAES.  215 

Vallee  Franche.  Size  medium,  obovate  or  turbinate,  acute; 
pale  green, -becoming  pale  yellowish  green  ;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  not  sunk  ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  white,  rather  coarse, 
juicy,  with  a  simply  sweet,  third-rate  flavor.  End  of  sum- 
mer. Valueless. 

Tyson  pear,  of  the  preceding  class,  often  approaches  this  in 
outline. 

Section  III. — Small. 

Amire  Joannet.  (Syn.  Early  Sugar,  St.  John's  pear,  Joan- 
ette.)  Small ;  roundish  obovate  or  turbinate,  with  a  very 
small  and  short  neck;  light  green  becoming  yellow,  usually 
with  a  reddish  brown  cheek,  and  with  conspicuous  red 
dots ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  fleshy  at  inser- 
tion ;  calyx  large,  not  sunk ;  pleasant  and  'moderately 
juicy,  becoming  dry,  and  with  a  sweet,  second  or  third 
rate  flavor.  Ripens  about  a  week  before  wheat  harvest, 
and  is  the  earliest  pear  known,  which  comprises  its  merit. 
Growth  stout,  upright,  vigorous,  leaves  flat,  tree  very  pro  • 
ductive,  bearing  when  young. 

DEARBORN'S  SEEDLING.  Scarcely  medium  in  size,  obovate 
turbinate,  regular,  smooth ;  surface  clear  yellow,  with 
minute  specks ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  sunk  little  or  none , 
basin  very  shallow;  flesh  very  fine  grained,  juicy,  melt- 
ing, and  of  fine  flavor.  Ripens  nearly  with  the  Bloodgood, 
or  middle  of  8  mo.,  (Aug.)  Shoots  straight,  long,  dark 
brown.  Tree  bears  when  young ;  the  fruit  always  fair 
and  of  first  quality  in  nearly  all  localities. 

Edward's  Henrietta.  Size,  a  little  below  medium  ;  obovate, 
crown  flattened  ;  stalk  set  on  the  rounded  point  of  the 
neck  ;  skin  smooth,  pale  yellowish  green,  dots  few;  stalk 
an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  small  or  none ;  calyx 
closed,  basin  shallow,  faintly  plaited,  melting,  juicy,  sub- 
acid,  with  a  good  second-rate  flavor.  Very  productive. 
Late  summer.  Origin,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Green  Chisel.  Small,  nearly  round,  color  green;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk  ;  calyx  rather 
large,  crumpled;  flesh  juicy,  slightly  gritty,  sweet,  of 
second  or  third-rate  flavor.  Late  summer.  Shoots  erect. 

10 


216  SUMMER    PEARS. 

Hessel.  (Syn.  Hazel.)  Rather  small,  obovate,  yellowish 
green,  thickly  dotted ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  oblique  ;  calyx 
small ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  whitish,  juicy,  pleasant.  Late 
summer  and  early  autumn.  Shoots  spreading. 

Little  Musk.  (Syn.  Petit  Muscat,  Little  Muscat,  Primitive.) 
Quite  small,  turbinate  ;  dull  greenish  yellow  ;  stalk  three- 
fourths  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  little  sunk ;  calyx  open, 
basin  little  or  none  ;  flesh  breaking,  sweet,  very  slightly 
musky,  second-rate.  Rather  better  in  quality  than  Amire 
Joannet,  but  smaller  and  a  week  later,  ripening  with  the 
Madeleine.  Very  productive. 

Manning's  Elizabeth.  Small,  obovate,  obscurely  pyriform, 
smooth ;  surface  yellow,  with  a  lively  blush ;  stalk  "one 
inch  long,  cavity  round,  shallow;  flesh  very  melting, 
saccharine,  sprightly,  perfumed.  End  of  summer.  Bel- 
gian. 

Muscat  Robert.  (Syn.  Musk  Robine,  Early  Queen,  D'Am- 
bre.)  Small,  turbinate,  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  surface  at  insertion  uneven,  but 
not  sunk ;  calyx  large,  basin  little  or  none ;  flesh  tender, 
juicy,  pleasant.  Ripens  with  the  Madeleine. 

Ott.  Small,  roundish,  turbinate  ;  greenish  yellow,  russeted 
in  part,  rarely  a  mottled  red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
fourth  long,  cavity  small ;  calyx  rather  large,  basin  shal- 
low; flesh  melting,  rich,  perfumed,  aromatic,  closely  re- 
sembling that  of  its  parent  the  Seckel.  Ripens  quite 
early,  or  by  the  first  or  middle  of  8  mo.  (Aug.)  Origin, 
Montgomery  Co.,  Pa.  New. 

SUMMER  DOYENNE.  (Syn.  Doyenne  d'Et'>.)  Small ;  round- 
obovate,  slightly  turbinate  ;  stalk  an  inch  or  an  inch  and 
a  fourth  long,  rather  stout,  slightly  oblique,  not  sunk ;  ba- 
sin very  shallow ;  skin  a  fine  yellow,  with  a  warm  cheek 
brightly  reddened  at  the  crown  ;  and  with  radiating  stripes 
of  greenish  yellow  from  the  calyx ;  flesh  melting,  juicy, 
sweet,  with  a  pleasant  but  not  hi^h  flavor.  Skin  thin ; 
core  small ;  seeds  small,  white.  Ripens  with  the  Made- 
leine, and  nearly  equal  to  it  in  quality.  Tree  bears  very 
young.  Shoots  slender,  reddish  brown.  New. 


SUMMER    PEARS.  217 


CLASS  III. — ROUNDISH  OR  OBLATE. 
Section  I. — Large  Pears. 

Hampden's  Bergamot.  (Syn.  Summer  Bergamot,  Lind.; 
Bergamoted'Ete,  Scotch  Bergamot. )  Large,  roundish, 
slightly  obovate  ;  green  becoming  clear  yellow,  dots  small; 
stalk  one-half  or  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  rather 
stout ;  cavity  small,  round ;  calyx  small,  closed,  basin 
shallow;  flesh  breaking,  granular,  half  buttery  and  agree- 
able if  house-ripened.  End  of  summer  and  first  of  au- 
tumn. Handsome.  Growth  strong. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Bergamot,  Early.  Size  medium,  roundish-oblate  ;  pale  yel- 
lowish-green, a  few  dull  red  streaks  towards  the  sun  or  a 
faint  dull  red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long, 
thick,  slightly  sunk,  juicy,  sweet,  crisp,  third-rate.  Late 
in  summer.  French. 

Bergamot,  Large  Summer.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  ap- 
proaching obovate,  smooth,  clear  yellow;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long,  cavity  and  basin  narrow,  deep,  and 
smooth  ;  flesh  breaking,  half  buttery,  not  rich.  Early  in 
autumn.  Tree  of  free  growth  and  productive. 

Citron.  Size,  medium  ;  roundish  ;  dull  green  ;  flesh  green- 
ish white,  a  little  coarse,  melting,  juicy,  good.  End  of 
summer.  Origin,  New-Haven,  Conn. 

Fine  Gold  of  Summer.  (Syn.  Fin  Or  d'Ete.)  Round-tur- 
binate,  skin  very  smooth,  yellowish  green,  with  a  brilliant 
red  cheek ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  not  sunk ; 
basin  very  shallow;  flesh  greenish  white,  juicy,  half- 
breaking,  second-rate.  Ripens  soon  after  the  Madeleine. 

Summer  Rose.  (Syn.  Epine  Rose,  Thorny  Rose,  Poire  de 
Rose.)  Medium  size,  roundish-oblate  ;  skin  faint  yellow, 
with  some  russet,  and  a  red  russet  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  quarter  long,  slender,  cavity  very  small ;  basin 
very  shallow;  flesh  juicy,  rather  rich,  good  second-rate. 
End  of  summer.  Soon  decays. 


AUTUMN    PEARS. 


Fig.  167— Paradise  d'Automne.  Fig.  168— Beurre  Bosc. 


SUMMER    PEARS.     .  219 

Section  III— Small. 

Bergamot,  Summer.  Small,  round,  yellowish  green,  with 
a  brownish  cheek ;  basin  wide ;  flesh  juicy,  moderately 
rich,  soon  becoming  mealy  and  dry.  Ripens  soon  after 
rnid-summer.  Growth  feeble. 

Summer  Portugal.  (Syn.  Passans  du  Portugal.)  Size, 
rather  small,  often  nearly  medium ;  roundish-oblate,  regu- 
lar ;  skin  yellowish  green  or  pale  yellow,  with  a  hand- 
some red  cheek  in  the  sun,  formed  of  the  reddened  dots ; 
stalk  about  an  inch  long ;  calyx  stiff,  erect ;  cavity  and 
basin  shallow;  flesh  white,  breaking,  tender,  juicy,  good 
second-rate.  Late  summer.  Very  productive.  Shoots 
upright,  reddish  brown. 

Williams'  Early.  Rather  small,  roundish,  remotely  turbi- 
nate,  regular ;  bright  yellow,  sunny  side  with  scarlet  dots; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  fleshy  at  insertion ;  calyx 
very  short,  erect,  basin  slightly  plaited ;  flesh  white, 
granular,  juicy  half-buttery,  rich,  slightly  musky.  End 
of  summer  and  first  of  autumn.  Shoots  dark.  A  hand- 
some, good  second-rate  pear,  a  native  of  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Summer  Doyenn6,  of  the  preceding  class,  approaches  this 
class  in  form. 


DIVISION  II.— AUTUMN  PEARS. 

CLASS  I. — DISTINCT  PYRIFORM 
Section  /. — Large  Pears. 

BEURRE  BOSC.  (Syn.  Calebasse  Bosc.)  Large,  very 
distinct  pyriform,  neck  rather  long  and  very  narrow,  acute ; 
body  large  oblate  ;  surface  nearly  smooth,  deep  yellow, 
russeted  in  patches  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slen- 
der, curved ;  basin  very  shallow ;  flesh  juicy,  buttery, 
rich,  perceptibly  perfumed,  sweet,  excellent.  Mid-autumn. 
Growth  moderate,  a  regular,  even  bearer.  Fails  entirely 
on  quince  stocks.  Belgian. 


220  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

BEURRE  DIEL.  (Syn.  Diel,  Diel's  Butter.)  Large,  some- 
times very  large,  thick  pyriform,  neck  short,  obtuse,  body 
very  large  ;  small  specimens  approach  obovate  ;  skin  dull 
yellow,  with  numerous  conspicuous  dots,  and  some  russet ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
stout,  moderately  sunk  ;  basin  slightly  furrowed ;  flesh 
rather  coarse,  rich,  sugary,  buttery,  juicy,  fine.  Late  au- 
tumn and  early  winter.  Leaves  roundish  or  broad.  Uni- 
formly fine  on  quince  stocks,  second-rate  on  the  pear. 
Belgian. 

Bishop's  Thumb.  Rather  large,  long  and  narrow,  distinct 
pyriform,  surface  very  uneven  ;  skin  dark  yellowish  green, 
more  or  less  russeted ;  a  dull  red  russet  cheek ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  half  long,  crooked ;  basin  very  shallow,  calyx 
erect  or  reflexed;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  good.  Ripens 
mid-autumn.  English. 

Burnett.  Large,  obtuse  pyriform;  smooth,  pale  yellow, 
thickly  dotted,  sometimes  slightly  russeted;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long ;  calyx  stifT,  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  green- 
ish white,  rather  coarse,  juicy,  second-rate.  Mid-autumn. 
Origin,  Southborough,  Mass. 

Chelmsford.  Large,  obconic-pyriform,  obscurely  ribbed  at 
crown,  yellow,  with  a  red  cheek,  showy ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long,  cavity  crumpled,  shallow;  calyx  deep- 
sunk;  flesh  hard,  breaking,  sweet;  only  fit  for  cooking. 
Mass. 

Colmar  d'Aremberg.  Large,  short  obconic-pyriform,  neck 
short  and  narrow,  body  large  and  somewhat  ribbed ;  yel- 
low, mottled  with  russet ;  stalk  oblique  ;  basin  very  deep; 
flesh  fine-grained,  melting,  buttery,  but  with  a  poor  third 
or  fourth-rate  flavor.  This  new  foreign  sort  has  been 
highly  praised,  but  several  years  of  fruiting  in  this  coun- 
try have  proved  it  worthless. 

Cumberland.  Large,  obovate-pyriform ,  or  obconic-pyriform, 
orange  yellow,  with  a  pale  blush,  showy ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long,  stout;  calyx  slightly  sunk;  flesh  white, 
melting,  buttery,  with  a  poor  third-rate  flavor.  Mid- 
autumn.  Origin,  Cumberland,  R.  I. 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  221 

Dix.  Large,  long  pyriform,  body  round-ovate,  tapering 
slightly  to  the  often  oblique  and  slightly  flattened  and  ob- 
tuse crown;  yellowish  green,  becoming  deep  yellow;  dots 
numerous,  distinct ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  stout 
at  each  end,  slightly  sunk,  basin  small ;  flesh  rather  granu- 
lar, rich,  juicy,  sweet,  often  excellent,  sometimes  rather 
acid.  One  of  the  most  valuable  autumn  pears.  Middle  and 
late  autumn.  A  tardy  bearer.  Shoots  yellow,  rather  slen- 
der, often  thorny ;  leaves  flat.  A  native  of  Boston,  Mass. 

Duchesse  tf  Angoulcme.  Very  large,  very  obtuse  pyriform, 
sometimes  oblong-obovate,  surface  very  uneven,  greenish 
yellow,  often  some  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  very  stout,  cavity  deep,  often  wide  ;  calyx 
small,  basin  uneven ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  rather  coarse, 
melting,  buttery,  juicy,  sometimes  fine,  often  poor — usu- 
ally nearly  first-rate,  or  good  second-rate,  on  quince  stocks ; 
worthless  on  pear  stocks.  Ripens  mid-autumn,  and  later. 
French. 

Duchesse  d^Orleans.  Large,  often  only  medium;  sometimes 
long-pyriform,  but  usually  obovate-pyriform,  somewhat 
obconic  ;  skin  golden  yellow,  slightly  russeted,  sometimes 
nearly  overspread  with  russet,  with  a  red  cheek ;  stalk 
thick,  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  scarcely  sunk  ;  basin 
smalL  even  ;  flesh  buttery  and  melting,  rich ;  when  well 
ripened,  delicious.  Ripens  mid-autumn.  A  very  hand- 
some, fine,  new,  French  variety.  Growth  rather  spread- 
ing, shoots  yellowish. 

Frederick  of  Wurtemburg.  (Syn.  Fred'ric  de  Wurtem- 
burg.)  Large,  short  pyriform,  neck  narrow,  very  acute, 
crown  broad,  body  oblate;  surface  whitish  yellow,  rarely 
deep  yellow,  often  a  handsome  red  cheek,  more  or  less 
russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  some- 
times very  fleshy,  often  not ;  basin  wide,  very  shallow ; 
flesh,  when  well  ripened,  very  melting,  buttery,  juicy, 
sometimes  delicious,  often  poor, — varying  from  first  to 
below  third-rate.  Needs  house-ripening.  Early  and  mid- 
'autumn.  Shoots  yellowish  brown,  thick.  Belgian. 

Gendesheim.  Large,  often  only  medium,  obtuse-pyrifonn, 
rather  irregular,  small  specimens  obovate,  approaching 


222 


AUTUMN    PEARS. 


Fig.  169-Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey.  Pig.  m-Flemish  Leauty 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  223 

obtuse-obconic ;  skin  greenish  yellow,  thickly  dotted, 
slightly  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  or  more  long,  oblique  ; 
calyx  small,  basin  narrow,  irregular  ;  buttery,  rather  rich, 
gritty  at  core,  second  rate.  Late  autumn.  Flemish. 

King  Edward's.  (Syn.  Jackman's  Melting.)  Large  or 
medium,  neck  acute,  obconic ;  surface  rough,  greenish 
yellow,  with  a  dull  reddish  cheek ;  and  some  patches  of 
greenish  russet ;  stalk  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  long  ;  calyx 
small,  erect,  scarcely  sunk  ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  some- 
times good,  often  rather  acid  and  astringent.  Handsome, 
second-rate.  Mid-autumn. 

Long  Green.  (Syn.  Long  Green  of  Autumn,  Verte  Longue, 
Mouthwater.)  Rather  large,  long-pyriform,  neck  long, 
narrow,  rather  acute,  body  ovate-conical,  or  tapering  to 
the  crown  ;  surface  uniformly  green ;  stalk  an  inch  or 
little  more  long,  often  oblique,  not  sunk  ;  calyx  scarcely 
sunk,  often  prominent,  reflexed  ;  flesh  very  juicy,  with  a 
high,  nearly  first-rate  or  good  second-rate  flavor. 

The  Verte  Longue  Panache,  or  Striped  Long  Green,  is  a 
worthless  sub-variety  of  the  above,  with  striped  skin. 

LOUISE  BONNE  OF  JERSEY.  (Syn.  Louise  Bonne  de 
Jersey,  Louise  Bonne  d'Avranches.)  Large  pyriform, 
neck  somewhat  obconic,  body  approaching  oblong,  taper- 
ing slightly  to  obtuse  or  flattened  crown  ;  slightly  one- 
sided ;  surface  smooth,  pale  yellowish  green,  with  a 
brownish  red  cheek;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  often  fleshy  at  insertion,  little  sunk ;  basin  shallow; 
flesh  yellowish  white,  very  juicy,  buttery,  melting,  rich, 
faintly  sub-acid,  fine.  Ripens  mid-autumn  ;  late  autumn 
far  north,  early  autumn  at  Cincinnati.  Very  productive; 
succeeds  admirablv  and  grows  with  great  vigor  on  quince 
stocks,  and  should  be  worked  on  no  other.  Shoots  dark 
brown  or  purple ;  serratures  of  the  leaves  rather  coarse. 
This  fine  variety,  like  the  Bartlett,  is  hardly  of  the  highest 
quality,  but  is  eminently  valuable  for  its  large,  fair  fruit, 
free  growth,  and  great  productiveness. 

Madotte.  Large,  pyriform,  smooth,  yellow,  with  a  little 
russet ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  thick  at  ends,  not  sunk ;  flesh 


1> 


224  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

half-buttery,  dry,  third-rate  or  worthless.      Showy.     Mid- 
autumn. 

Marie  Louise.  Large  pyriform,  a  little  one-sided,  or  with  a 
curved  axis  ;  body  somewhat  conical ;  surface  pale  green, 
becoming  yellowish,  partly  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  rather  stout,  often  oblique  ;  calyx  small,  basin 
narrow,  plaited ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  vinous,  when 
well  grown  rich  and  fine, — offen  second  or  third  rate, — 
variable.  Needs  rich  cultivation  or  else  the  fruit  will  be 
poor.  Mid-autumn.  Growth  very  flexuous  and  strag- 
gling, shoots  olive  gray,  petioles  very  long,  leaves  nar- 
row. Belgian. 

Marie  Louise  Nova.  Rather  large  ;  regular  pyriform,  neck 
acute,  tapering ;  skin  smooth,  yellow,  with  a  bro\vnish 
red  cheek  ;  stalk  one  to  two  inches  long,  rather  slender ; 
basin  shallow;  melting,  juicy,  quickly  decays,  sometimes 
good,  often  poor.  Early  mid-autumn.  Belgian. 

Neill.  Large,  obovate-pyriform,  axis  slightly  curved,  neck 
acute,  stalk  an  inch  long;  skin  pale  yellow,  with  traces  of 
thin  russet;  flesh  white,  buttery  sweet.  Shoots  diverging. 
Belgian. 

ONONDAGA  OR  SWAN'S  ORANGE.  Quite  large,  obtuse  oval- 
pyriform,  nearly  in  the  form  of  a  double  cone,  neck  very 
short  and  obtuse,  body  large  and  tapering  to  obtuse  apex ; 
skin  roughi^h,  greenish  yellow,  becoming  rich  yellow, 
dots  numerous,  often  a  slight  brown  cheek,  crown  often 
slightly  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  stout,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small,  closed,  basin  nar- 
row, ribbed  ;  flesh  slightly  coarse,  buttery,  melting,  some- 
times a  little  breaking,  juicy,  rich,  high-flavored,  fine,  but 
not  of  the  highest  quality.  Ripens  rnid-autumn.  Growth 
vigorous,  shoots  yellow,  ascending.  Productive.  Origin 
unknown  ;  cultivated  in  western  New- York.  Nearly  re- 
sembles the  Ronville  in  outline. 

PARADISE  D'AUTOMNE,  or  ".Autumn  Paradise."—- 
Rather  large,  distinct  pyriform  ;  surface  uneven,  yellowish 
orange,  with  some  thin  russet  patches;  stalk  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  not  sunk  ;  basin  small,  irregular;  flesh  melt- 


AUTUMN    PEARS. 


225 


ing,  very  buttery,  with  a  rich,  high,  and  excellent  flavor. 
Ripens  about  mid-autumn.  Shoots  yellowish,  at  first  up- 
right, afterwards  becoming  straggling,  growth  vigorous. 
This  pear  resembles  the  Beurre  Bosc,  but  is  less  smooth, 
more  irregular  in  form,  has  a  less  narrow  neck,  is  more 
melting  and  sprightly,  and  of  more  vigorous  growth. 

Vluinbgastel.  Large,  pyriform,  slightly  obconic,  crown 
obtuse ;  surface  smooth,  greenish  yellow,  crown  russeted 
with  a  distinct  boundary ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  stout,  not 
sunk  ;  basin  moderate,  narrow  ;  flesh  rather  coarse,  half- 
melting,  juicy,  rich,  with  a  good  second-rate  flavor,  about 
equal  in  richness  to  the  Bartlelt.  Middle  and  late  au- 
tumn. French.  New. 

Queen  of  the  Low  Countries.  Large  pyriform,  neck  narrow, 
body  broad  or  slightly  oblate  ;  surface  slightly  uneven, 
dull  greenish  yellow,  crown  russeted,  with  numerous,  often 
confluent  russet  dots,  and  a  slight  blush  ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long,  curved,  not  sunk ;  calyx  small,  rather 
deep-set,  basin  riobed  ;  buttery,  melting,  juicy,  moderate- 
ly rich,  sub-acid,  with  a  second-rate,  Brown  Beurre  fla- 
vor. Mid-autumn.  Belgian. 

Reine  des  Poires.     Rather  large,  obtuse-pyriform,  varying 
to  turbinate,  regular  ;   greenish-yellow  ;  stalk  an  inch  and- 
one-fourth  long,  slender ;  basin  shallow ;  flesh  dry,  flavor 
poor.     Mid-autumn. 

Summer  Bonchretien.  (Syn.  Bon  Chretien  d'Ete,  Summer 
Good  Christian,  Gratioli  d'Ete,  September.)  Large,  py- 
riform, somewhat  obtusely  and  irregularly  ribbed ;  skin 
yellow,  with  a  rich  orange  red  cheek  to  the  sun;  stalk 
two  inches  long  curved,  sunk  or  not;  calyx  small,  in  an 
uneven  basin  ;  flesh  granular,  breaking,  juicy,  very  sweet, 
pleasant.  Fine  for  baking.  Liable  to  crack  and  mil- 
dew in  many  localities ;  when  fair  and  well  grown  it  is 
of  fine  quality.  Ripens  early  in  autumn.  Growth  strag- 
gling, shoots  stout,  horny,  buds  projecting,  hard  ;  leaves 
roundish,  flat. 

Triomphe  de  Jodigne.  Quite  large,  pyriform  ;  stalk  short, 
thick ;  calyx  sunk  ;  skin  deep  yellow,  slightly  green  in 


226  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

the  shade,  deep  red   in  the  sun  ;  flesh   melting,  of  good 
flavor.     Ripens  late  autumn.     Tree  vigorous.    New. 

URBANISTE.  (Syn.  Beurre  Piquery.)  Rather  large,  ob- 
conic-pyriform,  obtuse  and  short,  often  approaching  obo- 
vate  ;  skin  pale  yellow  or  greenish,  faintly  russeted  ;  stalk 
an  inch  long,  stout,  moderately  and  sometimes  conside- 
rably sunk ;  calyx  erect  or  closed  ;  basin  distinct,  even  ; 
flesh  melting,  buttery,  with  a  fine,  delicious  perfumed  fla- 
vor, and  a  perceptible  shade  of  acid.  In  unfavorable 
localities,  it  is  sometimes  hardly  first-rate.  Middle  and 
late  autumn.  Does  not  come  soon  into  bearing.  Flemish. 

VAN  MONS  LEON  LE  CLERC.  Large,  long  pyriform,  or 
rather  oblong-obconic  pyriform,  obtuse  ;  surface  yellowish 
green,  slightly  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long, 
stout,  little  sunk  ;  calyx  small,  basin  very  shallow;  flesh 
fine-grained,  yellowish  white,  buttery,  melting,  rich,  fine. 
Ripens  middle  and  late  autumn.  A  native  o(  Laval,  in 
France.  The  value  of  this  fine  new  pear  is  diminished 
by  its  liability  to  crack  and  canker. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Amande  Double.  Size  medium,  pyriform  ;  skin  yellov;  and 
bright  red ;  stalk  short,  fleshy  at  insertion  ;  flesh  coarse, 
sweet,  tender,  second  or  third-rate,  rarely  good.  Early 
autumn.  Belgian. 

ANDREWS.  (Syn.  Amory,  Gibson.)  Medium  or  rather 
large,  distinct  pyriform,  somewhat  obconic,  often  slightly 
one-sided;  skin  thick,  dull  yellowish-green,  with  abroad, 
dull  red  cheek  ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  curved,  scarcely 
sunk;  basin  shallow,  sometimes  deep;  flesh  greenish, 
very  juicy,  melting,  of  a  fine,  pleasant,  agreeable  flavor. 
On  some  localities  not  first-rate.  Ripens  early  in  autumn. 
Very  productive  and  fair.  Shoots  diverging.  Origin, 
Dorchester,  Mass. 

Angleterre.  (Syn.  English  Beunv,  of  Lind.,  Beurre  d'An- 
gleterre.)  Medium  size,  obconic-pyriform,  acute,  regular; 
skin  thiclc,  dull  light  green,  thickly  dotted  with  russet, 
with  a  thin  brownish  russet  cheek  ;  stalk  about  an  inch 


AUTUMN       PEARS.  227 

long,  slender;  basin  smooth,  scarcely  sunk;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  juicy,  with  a  rather  poor  flavor.  Early  in  au- 
tumn. Productive.  A  common  market  fruit  at  Paris. 

Autumn  Coimar.  Medium  in  size,  obtuse-pyriform ;  pale 
green ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small, 
closed,  basin  slightly  furrowed ;  flesh  gritty  at  core, 
buttery,  second-rate  in  flavor.  Ripens  at  mid-autumn. 
Flemish. 

Beurre  Duval.  Medium  size,  obconic-pyriform,  pale  green, 
stalk  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  under  a  lip, 
cavity  small ;  calyx  erect,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  greenish 
white,  rather  coarse,  melting,  buttery,  good  second-rate, 
variable.  Late  autumn.  .Resembles  Andrews,  but  not 
so  good.  Belgian. 

Beurre  Van  Marum.  Medium  in  size,  sometimes  rather 
large,  oblong-pyriform,  rather  irregular;  &kin  yellow; 
stalk  long,  slender,  cavity  flattened ;  calyx  large,  basin 
shallow,  irregular,'  flesh  melting,  juicy,  sweet,  agreeable. 
Mid-autumn.  Productive,  and  bears  young.  A  good 
second-rate  pear.  Flemish. 

Beurre  Van  Mons.  Medium  size,  pyriform ;  yellow,  rus- 
seted  ;  a  third-rate  fruit.  Mid-autumn. 

Calebasse.  (Syn.  Calabash.)  Size  medium,  or  rather 
large  ;  long-pyriform,  neck  elongated,  acute,  body  round, 
rather  small ;  surface  uneven  or  knobby,  yellow,  partly 
russeted  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  oblique,  not 
sunk  ;  calyx  short,  erect,  basin  small,  ribbed  ;  flesh  coarse, 
breaking,  juicy,  sugary,  pleasant  ;  second-rate.  Early 
autumn.  Belgian. 

Calebasse  Grosse.  Very  large,  obconic-oblong ;  smooth, 
shining,  yellowish  green;  stalk  stout,  an  inch  long;  flesh 
rather  coarse,  half  melting,  tolerably  good.  Belgian. 

Capiaumont.  (Syn.  Beurre  de  Capiaumont.)  Size  medium; 
obconic-pyriform,  quite  acjute,  approaching  turbinate, 
regular;  skin  smooth,  yellow,  with  cinnamon  red  to  the 
sun,  distinctly  dotted,  slightly  russeted;  calyx  widely  re- 
flexed,  not  sunk ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  but  varying ; 


228  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

flesh  white,  buttery,  melting,  moderately  juicy,  sweet, 
often  astringent,  about  second-rate.  Hardy  and  produc- 
tive. Leaves  folded,  recurved.  Ripens  about  mid-au- 
tumn. Belgian. 

Clara.  Size,  medium  ;  oval-pyriform  ;  clear  yellow,  with  a 
blush,  dotted  red ;  stalk  stout ;  calyx  and  basin  small ; 
juicy,  melting,  somewhat  acid;  second  or  third-rate. 
About  mid-autumn.  Shoots  stout,  dark  brown.  Belgian. 

Comprette.  Size,  medium,  or  rather  large  ;  obtuse-pyriform; 
yellowish  green,  thickly  dotted  with  brown  ;  stalk  short, 
stout,  thickened  at  insertion  ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  but- 
tery, melting,  rich,  good,  often  nearly  first-rate.  Middle 
and  late  autumn.  Belgian. 

Countess  of  Lujiay.  Size  medium  ;  obovate-pyriform,  some- 
what obconic ;  skin  smooth,  pale  waxen  yellow,  with  a 
thin  red  cheek ;  stalk  about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  set 
without  depression  on  the  rounded  ..point  of  the  neck, 
which  is  slightly  russeted;' basin  very  small",  even;  flesh 
white,  very  juicy,  melting,  fine — nearly  or  quite  first-rate. 
Mid-autumn. 

Dt'lices  d* Hardenpont.  Size  medium ;  obtuse-pyriform  ; 
pale  yellow,  dotted  in  the  shade  and  russeted  in  the 
sun ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  obliquely  set,  cavity  small ; 
calyx  small,  closed,  basin  plaited,  uneven  ;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  rich.  Mid-autumn.  Belgian. 

Edwards'  William.  Medium  in  size,  obtuse-pyriform;  yel- 
Icw,  sunny  side  with  red  dots,  flesh  yellowish  white,  but- 
tery and  melting,  good.  Early  autumn.  Origin,  New- 
Haven. 

Figue.  Medium  or  rather  large,  pyriform-pyramidal,  regu- 
lar, body  rounding  to  the  apex ;  skin  thin,  green,  partly 
russeted  at  crown,  often  a  dull  red  cheek,  stalk  an  inch 
long,  stout,  very  fleshy  at  insertion,  not  sunk;  basin  none  ; 
flesh  rather  coarse,  melting,  juicy,  rich,  high-flavored. 
Late  autumn.  This  pear  has  been  cultivated  and  proved 
fine  at  Boston.  There  are  some  doubts  of  its  identity 
with  the  Figue  of  the  London  Horticultural  Society. 


AUTUMN    PEARS/       .  229 

Forelle.  (Syn.  Trout  Pear.)  Medium  orrather  large,  pyri- 
form,  approaching  oblong-obovate  ;  green,  becoming  clear 
yellow,  with  a  deep  vermillion  cheek,  dots  margined  with 
crimson;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  moderate; 
basin  rather  abrupt  and  narrow ;  flesh  buttery  and  melt- 
ing, second-rate.  Late  autumn.  Shoots  dark,  purplish  ; 
leaves  small,  nearly  flat.  German.  A  pear  of  great 
beauty,  which  has  contributed  to  its  reputation. 

Harvard.  Medium  or  rather  large,  oblong-pyriform  ;  skin 
russety  olive  yellow,  and  with  a  reddish  cheek;  stalk 
rather  stout,  sunk  little  or  none,  oblique  ;  basin  narrow  ; 
flesh  juicy,  melting,  tender;  rots  at  the  core  if  not  house- 
ripened.  First  of  au:urnn.  Very  productive,  growth  vigo- 
rous, fruit  handsome,  rendering  it  profitable  for  market, 
although  only  second-rate  in  quality.  Origin,  Cambridge, 
Mass. 

Jersey  Gratioli.  Size  medium ;  regularly  formed ;  pale 
brown,  somewhat  rough,  basin  round,  even ;  flesh  melt- 
ing, rich.  Growth  erect,  vigorous,  buds  hoary.  New. 

Lodge.  Size  medium,  pyriform,  neck  small,  narrow,  very 
acute,  sometimes  ribbed  and  irregular ;  greenish  brown, 
much  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  rather 
stout  and  curved  ;  basin  varying  from  very  shallow  to 
deep  and  distinct ;  flesh  very  juicy  and  melting,  with  a 
rich,  vinous,  or  sub-acid  Brown  Beurr£  flavor.  Early  and 
mid-autumn.  Origin,  near  Philadelphia,  where  it  proves 
first-rate,  but  farther  north  it  does  not  stand  so  high. 

Napoleon.  Medium  or  rather  large ;  obconic-pyriform,  ob- 
tuse, variable  ;  green  becoming  pale  yellowish-green ; 
stalk  an  inch  long,  stout,  slightly  sunk ;  basin  rather 
large  ;  flesh  uncommonly  juicy,  melting,  moderately  rich, 
good,  sometimes  astringent.  From  mid-autumn  till  win- 
ter. Needs  ripening  in  a  warm  room.  Very  productive, 
thrifty,  hardy.  Shoots  rather  erect.  Belgian.  Best  on 
warm  light  soils. 

Pailleau.  Medium  in  size,  pyriform-turbinate  ;  skin  rough, 
greenish  yellow,  partly  russeted ;  stalk  about  an  inch 
long,,  very  stout ;  basin  small ;  flesh  juicy,  sweet,  tolera- 


230  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

bly  good ;  second-rate.  Early  autumn.  Overbears.  Bel- 
gian. 

Pitt's  Prolific.  (Syn.  Pitt's  Surpasse  Marie.)  Medium  size, 
oblong-pyriform,  rather  acute ;  yellow,  with  a  broad 
brownish-red  cheek ;  stalk  curved,  fleshy  at  base ;  flesh 
juicy,  hard,  coarse  ;  third-rate.  English. 

Pope's  Quaker.  Size  medium,  oblong-pyriform,  with  smooth 
yellow  russet,  juicy,  melting,  pleasant ;  second  or  third 
rate.  Mid-autumn.  Long  Island,  N.  Y. 

Queen  Caroline.  (Syn.  Reine  Caroline. )  Medium  in  size, 
narrow-pyriform,  greenish  becoming  yellow,  with  a  red- 
dish cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  curved,  sunk  little  or 
none  ;  flesh  white,  crisp,  dry  ;  third-rate.  Late  autumn. 

St.  Ghislain.  Size  medium  ;  pyriform,  neck  narrow,  acute, 
tapering  ;  surface  pale  yellow,  sometimes  a  faint  blush  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  curved  with  fleshy  rings  at 
insertion  ;  basin  very  shallow  ;  flesh  white,  buttery,  juicy, 
with  a  fine  flavor.  'Growth  upright,  vigorous,  shoots  light 
brown.  Somewhat  variable  in  quality,  from  first  to 
second-rate.  Belgian.  Early  autumn. 

Styrian.  Medium  or  rather  large;  obconic-pyriform  ;  sur- 
face warm  deep  yellow,  sometimes  a  bright  red  cheek, 
with  russet  streaks  or  patches;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  haif 
long,  slender,  often  fleshy  at  insertion  ;  basin  small,  ir- 
regular ;  flesh  slightly  granular,  crisp,  often  juicy  an  I 
melting,  second-rate,  often  nearly  first-rate  in  flavor..  A 
profuse  bearer.  Ripens  mid-autumn.  English. 

Sullivan.  Medium  in  size,  oblong-pyriform,  neck  acute,  ta- 
pering ;  greenish  yello.v;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
stout ;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  second-rate.  Early  autumn. 
Belgian. 

Bilboa  and  Washington  pears,  of  next  class,  approach  this 
class  in  outline. 

Section  III. — Small. 

Yat.  Rather  small,  pyriform-turbinate,  slightly  com- 
pressed ;  densely  russeied ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slender, 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  231 

oblique,  not  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin  shallow ;  tender, 
juicy,  rather  rich.  Early  autumn.  Dutch.  A  third-rate 
pear ;  soon  decays. 


CLASS  II. — OBSCURE  PYRIFORM,   OBOVATE,  OR  TURBINATE- 
Section  L— Large  Pears. 

Beurre  d'Amalis.  (Syn.  Beurre  d'Amanlis.)  Large,  obo- 
vatc,  often  slightly  irregular,  sometimes  slightly  pyriform, 
with  a  short  and  narravv  neck  ;  dull  yellowish  green,  with 
some  russet,  and  a  dull  reddish  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and 
a  quarter  long,  very  slightly  sunk ;  basin  shallow ;  flesh 
buttery,  melting  and  juicy,  and  rather  rich,  with  a  second- 
rate  flavor.  Early  and  mid-autumn.  A  good  grower, 
great  bearer  alternate  years,  and  always  perfects  its  fruit. 
Growth  spreading.  Belgian. 

BEURRE  D'ANJOU.  Rather  large,  obovate j  approaching  ob- 
conic,  obtuse,  regular;  surface  greenish-yellow,  a  dull 
red  cheek  to  the  sun,  clouded  with  russet;  stalk  quite 
short,  or  half  an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk,  cavity  uneven ; 
basin  shallow,  round  smooth  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  fine- 
grained, buttery,  melting,  with  a  high,  rich,  vinous,  ex- 
cellent flavor.  Middle  and  late  autumn.  French. 

Beurre  Knox.  Large,  oblong-obovate,  obconic,  acute ;  sur- 
face pale  green,  with  some  thin  russet ;  stalk  an  inch 
long;  basin  small,  narrow;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  but  not 
high-flavored.  Early  mid-autumn.  Flemish.  Of  little 
value. 

Brown  Beurre.  (Syn.  Beurre  Gris,  Gray  Beurre,  Beurre" 
Rouge,  Red  Beurre,  Beurre  Isambert.^)  Large,  often  only 
medium;  oblong-obovate,  with  a  rounded  taper  to  the  stalk  ; 
skin  yellowish  green,  russeted  ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  rather  oblique,  thickening  into  the  fruit  ;  basin 
rather  shallow;  flesh  greenish  white,  very  juicy, melting, 
buttery,  with  a  rich  sub-acid  or  vinous  flavor.  Early  mid- 
autumn.  Highly  esteemed  by  those  who  prefer  a  vinous 


232  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

flavor.  Partially  fails  in  many  localities ;  needs  rich, 
high  cultivation.  Wood  short-jointed,  flexuous,  leaves 
folded. 

Capuciri.  Rather  large,  oval,  sometimes  obtuse  turbinate  ; 
surface  greenish,  becoming  pale  yellow;  slightly  russeted 
at  ends,  reddened  next  the  sun;  stalk  nearly  an  inch  long, 
cavity  obtuse ;  basin  deep,  narrow,  irregular ;  flesh  green- 
ish, juicy,  crisp,  rather  rich;  second-rate.  Mid-autumn. 
Belgian. 

Chapman.  Rather  large,  obovate,  sometimes  slightly  pyri- 
form,  obtuse,  largest  at  the  middle,  tapering  each  way  ; 
surface  clear  lemon  yellow  ;  stalk  nearly  two  inches  long, 
cavity  shallow,  wrinkled  ;  calyx  erect,  basin  ribbed  ;  flesh 
yellowish-white,  very  juicy,  half  breaking,  rather  acid ; 
sometimes  astringent ;  second-rate.  Pa. 

Chancellor.  Large,  obovate,  green ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
rather  thick,  cavity  small,  irregular ;  calyx  small,  basin 
contracted ;  flesh  melting,  rich,  very  agreeable.  Ripens 
about  mid-autumn.  Origin,  Germantown,  Pa.  New. 

Copia.  Large,  broad-turbinate,  acute  ;  yellow  slightly  rus- 
seted ;  stalk  long,  stout,  fleshy  at  insertion ;  calyx  large, 
basin  slightly  furrowed;  flesh  coarse,  juicy,  rather  rich. 
Mid-autumn.  Origin,  Philadelphia. 

Dunmore.  Large,  oblong-obovate;  surface  greenish,  with 
dots  of  brownish  red  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
stout,  fleshy  at  insertion,  scarcely  sunk  in  the  obtuse  and 
rounded  base  ;  calyx  small,  deep-set ;  flesh  buttery,  melt- 
ing, rich,  good,  but  not  first-rate.  Early  autumn.  Eng- 
lish, raised  by  Knight. 

FLEMISH  BEAUTY.  (Syn.  Belle  de  Flandres.^)  Large,  obo- 
vate, often  obscurely  tapering  to  the  crown,  very  obtuse  ; 
surface  slightly  rough,  with  some  reddish  brown  russet  on 
pale  yellow  ground ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long, 
rather  slender,  cavity  round,  deep,  narrow,  often  acumi- 
nate, rim  obtusely  rounded ;  basin  small,  round ;  flesh 
juicy,  melting,  often  with  a  very  rich,  sweet,  and  excel- 
lent flavor,  but  variable,  and  sometimes  not  high-flavored; 
needs  house-ripening.  Shoots  dark  brown,  growth  vigo- 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  233 

rous,  tree  productive,  and  fruit  always  fair  and  handsome. 
Very  valuable — its  chief  and  perhaps  only  deficiency  is  a 
frequent  want  of  a  full,  high,  rich  flavor.  It  must  be 
gathered  while  yet  hard,  and  ripened  within  doors.  The 
Beurre  Spence,  so  long  the  "  Great  Unknown  "  of  pomo- 
logists,  is  commonly  believed  to  be  no  other  than  this 
variety. 

Great  Citron  of  Bohemia.  Large,  oblong,  yellow,  spotted 
and  tinged  with  red  next  the  sun ;  stalk  an  inch  lonr  ; 
flesh  juicy,  with  a  second  or  third-rate  flavor. 

Jalousie.  Rather  large,  varying  from  roundish  to  obovate- 
pyriform  ;  surface  smooth,  deep  rich  russet,  with  clear  de- 
fined, lighter  dots  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  cavi- 
ty and  basin  narrow  and  small,  sometimes  rather  deep  ; 
flesh  white,  dry,  and  with  poor  flavor.  Mid-autumn. 
Shoots  stout,  olive.  Handsome  and  worthless.  French. 

Shenks.  Rather  large,  roundish-obovate,  obscurely  ribbed, 
crown  flattened  ;  light  yellow,  often  a  light  red  cheek ; 
stalk  one  inch  long  ;  basin  deep ;  flesh  white,  a  little 
gritty,  tender,  melting,  sub-acid,  second-rate.  Needs 
house-ripening.  Mid-autumn.  New-England. 

Van  Buren.  Large,  obovate,  crown  flattened  ;  surface  clear 
yellow,  with  an  orange  red  blush,  dots  conspicuous;  flesh 
white,  crisp,  sweet,  for  baking  only.  Handsome.  New- 
Haven,  Conn. 

Van  dssene.  Rather  large,  obovate,  slightly  angular;  crown 
obtuse,  sides  rounded ;  skin  fair,  smooth,  dull  yellow ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  qurater  long,  slender,  curved,  mode- 
rately sunk ;  calyx  closed ;  flesh  white,  rather  coarse, 
buttery,  melting,  rich.  Belgian. 

Onondaga,  and  Dutchess  of  Angouleme,  of  the  preceding 
class,  approach  this  in  form. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Abbott.  Medium  in  size,  oblong-obovate,  (like  the  Wash- 
ington,) surface  even,  smooth,  dark  dull  green,  with  a 
reddish  brown  cheek  changing  to  scarlet,  stalk  an  inch 


234  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

long;  calyx  small,  closed ;  melting,   juicy,   rich.     Early 
mid-autumn,     Good  and  handsome.     Providence,  R.  I. 

Alpha.  Medium,  obovate,  slightly  oblong  ;  greenish  yellow, 
with  red  dots  to  the  sun;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slightly 
sunk  ;  basin  round  ;  flesh  juicy,  buttery,  sweet,  fine.  Mid- 
autumn.  Belgian. 

Ananas.  Medium  or  large,  obovate-obconic,  dull  or  green- 
ish yellow,  stalk  stout,  short,  fleshy  at  insertion,  calyx 
closed,  basin  narrow,  angular  ;  melting,  juicy,  rich.  Mid- 
autumn.  France.  New.  The  Ananas  d'Ete  is  distinct, 
and  requires  farther  investigation. 

Ambrosia.  Size  medium,  round-obovate,  slightly  flattened 
at  ends ;  skin  greenish-yellow,  thickly  dotted ;  stalk 
about  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  rather  broad  and 
shallow  ;  calyx  erect  or  closed,  basin  wide,  plaited;  flesh 
slightly  breaking,  buttery,  good  Second-rate,  often  only 
third-rate.  Early  in  autumn.  French. 

BELLE  LUCRATIVE,  or  FONDANTE  D'AUTOMNE.  Size  medi- 
um, obconic-obovate,  sometimes  remotely  pyrifomi  ;  sur- 
face pale  yellowish-green,  slightly  russeted ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  long,  often  fleshy,  oblique  ;  cavity  very 
small  and  narrow  ;  calyx  short ;  basin  smooth,  sometimes 
furrowed  ;  flesh  very  juicy,  with  a  fine  texture,  melting, 
rich,  excellent.  Very  variable — when  well  grown  and 
fully  ripened,  it  has  no  superior  and  few  equals,  in  its  ex- 
ceedingly rich,  delicate,  perfumed  flavor — but  often  of 
poor  quality.  Early  mid-autumn.  Belgian.  Growth 
moderate,  upright,  shoots  yellowish-gray. 

Bdmo7it.  Size  medium  ;  roundish-obovate  ;  skin  yellowish- 
green,  a  faint  reddish-brown  cheek  to  the  sun  ;  stalk  two 
inches  long,  slender  curved ;  flesh  rather  coarse,  juicy, 
sweet,  second-rate — first-rate  for  cooking.  Mid-autumn. 
English. 

Bergamotte  Cadette.  (Syn.  Beauchamps,  Beurr-3  Beau- 
champs,  Poire  de  Cadet.)  Size  medium  ;  round-obovate, 
or  round-oval ;  surface  greenish-yellow,  often  russeted, 

*  frequently  tinged  with  reddish-brown  to  the  sun  ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  fourth  long,  scarcely  sunk  on  the  rounded  base 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  235 

calx  erect  or  closed,  basin  very  shallow ;  flesh  melting, 
buttery,  juicy,  sweet,  quite  rich,  slightly  perfumed ;  near- 
ly first-rate.  Late  autumn.  .  Productive.  French. 

Beurr£  Colmar.  (Syn.  Beurre  Colmar  d'Automne.J  Size 
medium,  oval-obovate,  regular,  smooth;  skin  greenish 
yellow,  often  a  blush  ;  stalk  an  inch  long  ;  basin  shallow, 
narrow,  irregular ;  flesh  white,  crisp,  becoming  juicy  and 
melting,  not  rich. 

Beurre  Crapaud.  Medium  size,  round-obovate,  obtuse  ;  sur- 
face smooth,  yellow,  with  a  red  cheek;  stalk  short,  cavi'y 
shallow;  basin  broad,  shallow;  flesh  fine-grained,  melt- 
ing, juicy,  high-flavored,  perfumed.  Somewhat  resem- 
bles While  Doyenne,  but  higher  colored.  Mid-autumn. 
Shoots  light  yellow.  New. 

Beurre  de  Beaumont.  Medium  size,  roundish-obovate  or 
roundish-turbinate ;  skin  yellowish  green,  thinly  dotted 
dark  green,  and  a  faint  dull  red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  very  slightly  sunk ;  sometimes  set  under  a  lip ; 
calyx  short,  basin  shallow,  smooth  ;  flesh  buttery,  melt- 
ing, juicy,  rich;  nearly  or  quite  first-rate.  Early  mid- 
autumn.  French.  New. 

Beurre  Kenrick.  Medium  size,  obconic-obovate,  crown  flat- 
tened ;  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  an  inch  long  ;  flesh  juicy, 
sweet,  buttery;  second  or  third-rate.  Early  autumn. 
Flemish. 

Beurre  Preble.  Medium,  sometimes  rather  large,  oblong- 
obovate,  sometimes  roundish-obovate,  usually  an  acute, 
slight  neck ;  skin  greenish  yellow ;  stalk  stout,  an  inch 
long,  cavity  little  or  none ;  basin  small ;  flesh  melting, 
buttery,  sweet,  rich,  with  high  flavor,  but  varying  to 
second-rate.  Late  autumn.  Origin,  Maine. 

Beurr£  Romain.  Medium  in  size,  obovate  ;  light  yellowish 
green ;  stalk  short,  not  sunk ;  calyx  prominent ;  flesh 
juicy,  melting,  of  second-rate  quality.  Early  mid-au- 
tumn. 

Bezi  de  Montigny.  Medium  size,  or  rather  large,  obovate, 
obtuse,  sometimes  remotely  pyriform,  regular;  skin  smooth 


236  AUTUMN    PEARS 

pale  yellowish  green ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  stout,  much 
enlarged  from  the  fruit ;  calyx  small,  erect  ;  cavity  and 
basin  small,  smooth;  flesh  half-buttery,  melting,  juicy, 
and  quite  sweet,  perfumed — good  second-rate.  Mid- 
autumn.  Resembles  Urbaniste  externally.  French. 

Bon  Chretien  Fondant e,  or  "Melting  Bonchretien."  Size 
medium  ;  roundish,  slightly  oblong,  rarely  short-obovate, 
obtuse ;  surface  dull  green,  partly  russeted,  numerously 
dotted  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  moderately  or  slightly  sunk  ; 
basin  small ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  core  yellow  and  rather 
gritty, — melting,  very  juicy,  rich,  pleasant — often  nearly 
first-rate,  somewhat  variable.  Ripens  about  mid-autumn 
or  later.  Leaves  conspicuously  folded  and  recurved. 
Flemish. 

Boucquia.  Medium  or  rather  large ;  oval-obovate ;  skin 
pale  yellow  and  pale  red,  partly  russeted,  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  quarter  long,  fleshy  at  insertion ;  calyx  large,  erect, 
scarcely  sunk;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  seconder  third-rate. 

Buffum.  Size  medium  ;  obovate,  approaching  oblong  ;  skin 
yellow,  with  a  broad,  reddish  brown  cheek,  somewhat 
russeted  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an  inch  long,  stout ;  cavi- 
ty and  basin  moderate  or  small;  flesh  buttery,  sweet, 
good,  not  quite  first-rate,  slightly  variable.  Shoots  strong, 
reddish  brown,  very  erect ;  tree  very  productive.  Valua- 
ble for  its  fair  fruit,  and  fine  bearing  qualities.  Early 
mid-autumn.  Origin,  Rho.le  Island. 

Cabot.  Size  medium,  round-turbinate,  slightly  irregular, 
crown  full,  obtuse ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  set  on  the  pointed 
base  without  depression ;  surface  rough,  russeted,  bronze 
yellow  ;  basin  round,  smooth ;  flesh  greenish  white,  break- 
ing, somewhat  melting,  juicy,  sub-acid,  about  second-rate. 
Early  mid-autumn.  Tree  vigorous,  very  productive.  Ori- 
gin, Salem,  Mass. 

Commodore.  Size  medium ;  regular  obovate,  or  obovate- 
pyriform,  with  a  short  narrow  neck ;  surface  yellow,  with 
a  little  red,  thickly  dotted,  and  with  some  russet ;  stalk 
an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  scarcely  depressed ;  calyx 
small,  reflexed;  basin  very  shallow;  flesh  juicy,  melting, 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  23< 

buttery,  sweet,  with'a  second-rate,  sometimes  nearly  first 
•  rate  flavor.     Late  autumn.     Belgian. 

Gushing.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate,  somewhat  ob 
conic ;  surface  light  greenish  yellow,  rarely  a  dull  red 
cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  abrupt ;  basin  rathei 
shallow ;  flesh  fine  grained,  buttery,  melting,  with  a  fine 
flavor — nearly  first-rate.  Ripens  in  the  early  part  of  au- 
tumn. Shoots  spreading.  Very  productive.  Origin, 
Hingham,  Mass. 

Dallas.  Size  medium ;  obovate,  slightly  obconic-pyriform ; 
dull  yellow,  often  much  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
not  sunk  ;  basin  round,  slightly  wrinkled ;  segments  01 
the  calyx  rounded,  stiff;  flesh  fine-grained,  melting,  juicy, 
good.  Ripens  late-autumn.  Conn.  * 

De  Loavain.  Medium  size,  obovate-obconic,  approaching 
pyriform ;  surface  light  yellow,  faintly  russeted,  with 
ruddy  dots  to  the  sun  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  stout,  oblique, 
not  sunk  ;  basin  very  narrow,  shallow ;  flesh  '  buttery, 
melting,  rich,  good.  Ripens  through  mid-autumn.  Bel- 
gian. 

DOYENNE  BOUSSOCK.  (Syn.  Doyenne  Boussouck  Nouvelle.) 
Large,  thick  obovate,  obconic,  sometimes  slightly  pyri- 
form, slightly  uneven  ;  surface  bright  lemon  yellow  when 
ripe,  partly  russeted,  sometimes  a  slight  reddish  cheek  ; 
stalk  stout,  about  an  inch  long,  varying,  sometimes  fleshy, 
often  oblique ;  basin  very  shallow,  even ;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  very  juicy,  with  a  first-rate  flavor,  resembling 
the  White  Doyenne,  but  not  equal  to  it  in  quality.  New. 
The  Gray  Doyenne  has  been  cultivated  to  some  extent 
under  this  name. 

Duchesse  de  Mars.  Size  medium  or  rather  small ;  obovate, 
slightly  pyriform  ;  skin  dull  yellow,  partly  russeted  ;  stalk 
an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk  on  the  rounded  base  ;  calyx 
closed,  basin  very  small;  flesh  melting  and  juicy,  rather 
rich.  Ripens  late  autumn.  A  second-rate  fruit.  French. 

Dundas.  Size  medium ;  short  turbinate,  sometimes  obovate, 
base  flattened ;  skin  yellow,  with  a  brilliant  blush ;  stalk 
an  inch  long,  stout,  not  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin  wide, 


238 


AUTUMN    PEARS. 


AUTUMN   PEAES.  239 

deep  and  even  ;  flesh  half-buttery,  tender,  melting,  rich, 
perfumed.  Mid-autumn.  A  handsome  Belgian  variety, 
of  nearly  first-rate  quality. 

Edward's  Elizabeth.  Medium  in  size  or  rather  large ; 
round ish-obovate,  sometimes  approaching  obtuse  pyri- 
form,  somewhat  angular,  smooth ;  surface  a  beautiful, 
clear,  waxen,  pale  yellow ;  stalk  often  planted  in  a  fleshy 
protuberance  ;  flesh  buttery,  slightly  sub-acid,  good.  Mid- 
autumn.  Origin,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

Enfant  Prodigue.  Size  medium,  or  rather  small;  obovate, 
varying,  base  always  narrow ;  surface  rough,  slightly 
uneven,  tawny  yellow,  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  scarcely  sunk,  or  under  a  lip ;  calyx  closed, 
crumpled,  basin  slight,  narrow,  furrowed ;  very  juicy, 
sub-acid,  rather  rich.  Very  variable  in  form  and  quality. 
Late  autumn.  Belgian. 

Figue  de  Naples.  (Syn.  Fig  pear  of  Naples.)  Medium,  or 
rather  large;  oblong-obovate,  sometimes  slightly  obovate- 
pyriform,  base  very  obtuse ;  surface  yellowish-brown, 
with  a  faint  reddish  cheek  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  fleshy  at 
insertion ;  basin  broad,  shallow,  smooth ;  flesh  buttery, 
rich,  but  becoming  dry  instead  of  melting,  unless  kept 
from  the  air,  the  skin  being  quite  pervious  to  moisture. 
Ripens  late  autumn.  Hardy  and  productive. 

Forme  de  Delices.  Medium  size,  obovate,  yellowish,  rough, 
much  russeted  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  round,  smooth  , 
calyx  large,  projecting;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  somewhat 
dry,  of  good  flavor.  Late  autumn.  Belgian.  Shoots 
stout,  upright,  yellowish-green. 

Jones.  Size  medium  or  rather  small,  obovate,  often  pyri- 
form  ;  surface  rich  yellow  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  or  an  inch 
and  a  fourth  in  length,  variable  in  thickness,  fleshy  at  in- 
sertion, not  sunk;  basin  shallow;  flesh  yellowish,  melt- 
ing, of  fine  flavor.  Ripens  late  autumn.  Origin,  King- 
sessing,  near  Philadelphia.  New. 

GOLDEN  BETTRRE  OF  BILBOA.  (Syn.  Bilboa,  Hooper's  Bil 
boa.)  Rather  large;  obovate,  slightly  pyriform,  rathei 
obtuse,  very  regular ;  surface  smooth,  fair,  fine  yellow, 

11 


24.0 


AUTUMN   PEARS. 


AUTUMN    PEAES.  241 

russeted  round  the  stalk ;  dots  small,  distinct ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  long,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small,  erect, 
basin  shallow ;  flesh  fine-grained,  very  buttery,  melting, 
moderately  rich — sometimes  a  very  obscure  acid  astrin- 
gency.  Ripens  the  first  of  autumn,  and  immediately  fol- 
lows the  Bartlett.  Its  fair  fruit,  and  productiveness,  ren- 
der it  a  very  valuable  pear,  although,  like  the  Flemish 
Beauty,  it  is  not  of  the  highest  flavor.  Grows  well  on  the 
quince.  A  native  of  Bilboa,  Spain. 

GRAY  DOYENNE.  (Syn.  Doyenne  Gris,  Gray  Butter 
Pear,  Red  Doyenne,  Doyenne  Rouge,  St.  Michael  Dore.) 
Size  medium,  obovate^  often  approaching  turbinate  ;  whole 
surface  a  handsome  smooth  cinnamon  russet ;  stalk  half 
to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  quite  narrow; 
calyx  small,  closed;  flesh  with  a  very  fine  texture,  very 
buttery,  melting,  rich,  perfumed,  delicious,  excellent. 
Middle  of  autumn  to  winter.  Shoots  yellowish  or  gray- 
ish brown,  ascending.  Fails  on  some  localities. 

Green  Yair.  (Syn.  Green  pear  of  Yair.)  Medium  size, 
obovate,  green,  juicy,  third-rate.  Early  autumn. 

HEATHCOT.  (Syn.  Gore's  Heathcot.)  Medium  size;  obo- 
vate, regular,  base  obtuse  ;  surface  greenish  yellow,  part- 
ly overspread  with  thin  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  long  rather 
stout,  cavity  moderate  or  small ;  calyx  partly  closed, 
basin  small ;  flesh  fine-grained,  buttery,  with  a  rich,  per- 
fumed, and  excellent  flavor — sometimes  hardly  first-rate. 
Early  mid-autumn.  Shoots  upright,  reddish  brown.  Very 
productive  and  profitable.  Origin,  Waltham,  Mass. 

HenkeL  Medium  or  rather  large,  round-obovate,  remotely 
pyriform,  with  a  very  short  neck ;  obtuse ;  surface  yel- 
low, often  a  clear  pale  yellow,  sometimes  partly  russeted ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slightly  sunk  ;  basin  small, 
even ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  buttery,  melting,  juicy, 
sprightly,  fine,  sometimes  only  second-rate.  Belgian. 

Hericart.  Size  medium,  obovate,  remotely  pyriform,  often 
irregular,  greenish  yellow,  with  numerous  confluent  dots  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  slightly  sunk ;  basin 
small ;  flesh  melting,  buttery,  not  rich,  second  or  third- 
rate.  First  of  autumn.  Belgian. 


242  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

Hull.  Medium  size,  obovate,  rounded  at  base  ;  skin  yel- 
lowish green,  some  russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  rather  slender,  not  sunk  ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  melt- 
ing, juicy,  slightly  gritty  at  core,  sweet,  often  good,  some- 
times only  third-rate.  Origin,  Swanzey,  Mass. 

JALOUSIE  DE  FONTENAY  VENDEE,  or  "  Fontenay  Jalousie." 
Size  medium,  obconic-turbinate,  approaching  thick-pyri- 
form  ;  surface  a  pale  dull  yellowish  green,  more  or  less 
russeted,  often  a  faint  red  cheek;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
often  oblique,  not  sunk;  calyx  closed,  stiff;  basin  small, 
round,  flesh  buttery,  melting,  mild,  rich,  fine-flavored, 
nearly  or  quite  first-rate.  Ripens  at  mid-autumn.  French. 

Knights  Seedling.  Medium  or  rather  large  ;  obovate,  ap- 
proaching obconic-pyriform,  smooth  yellowish  green ;  stalk 
an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk;  basin  broad,  shallow;  juicy, 
melting,  sweet.  Early  autumn.  A  native  of  Rhode  Island. 

Louise  d' Orleans.  Medium  in  size,  oblong;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  stout,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin  very  shal- 
low; skin  a  bronzed  green;  flesh  very  white,  fine-grained, 
juicy,  melting,  rich.  Late  autumn.  Belgian.  .New. 
May  prove  valuable. 

Messire  Jean.  (Syn.  Monsieur  Jean,  John,  Mr.  John.)  Me- 
dium size,  roundish,  slightly  pyriform,  crown  slightly  nar- 
rowed ;  surface  roughish,  mostly  russeted  on  yellow 
ground;  stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  small;  calyx  small, 
basin  small,  smooth  or  plaited ;  flesh  gritty,  breaking, 
juicy,  second  or  third-rate.  Late  autumn  or  early  winter. 
Old  French. 

Oliver's  Russet.  Size  medium,  obovate-obconic,  base  round- 
ed; a  deep  cinnamon  russet  on  yellow  ground,  tinged  red 
to  the  sun ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  rather  slender, 
scarcely  sunk ;  basin  and  calyx  small ;  flesh  melting, 
juicy,  sometimes  fine,  usually  second-rate.  Mid-autumn. 
Origin,  Lynn.  Mass. 

OSWEGO  BEURRE.  Size  medium,  obtuse  oval-obovate,  regu- 
lar; surface  yellowish  green,  with  some  thin  russet;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  stout,  deep-set ;  calyx  small, 
erect  or  closed,  basin  smooth;  flesh  melting,  juicy,  with 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  243 

a  fine  slightly  sub-acid  Brown  Beurre  flavor,  nearly  first- 
rate, — regarded  as  fully  first-rate  by  those  who  like  the 
vinous  flavor  of  the  Brown  Beurre  and  Beurre  d'Arem- 
berg.  Middle  and  late  autumn.  Profusely  productive 
Origin,  Oswego,  N.  Y. 

Howell.       Size     medium,    pyriform,    neck    small,    acute; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  not  sunk  ;  calyx  in  a  small 
round  basin;  surface  pale  yellow;  flesh  melting,  butte-V 
ry,  and  fine.     Ripens  mid-autumn.     Origin,  New  Haven, 
Conn. 

Paquency  or  Payency.  Size  medium  ;  obovate-obconic,  ap- 
proaching pyriform,  acute;  skin  dull  yellow,  slightly  rus- 
seted,  with  a  faint  dull  blush  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  stout ; 
calyx  erect,  basin  shallow;  flesh  white,  juicy,  melting, 
good.  Mid-autumn.  French.  New. 

Pennsylvania.  Size  medium,  obovate,  often  short  obovate, 
obconic  ;  surface  a  rich  brownish  russet  on  yellow  ground; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  not  sunk ;  sometimes 
slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  rather 
coarse,  somewhat  breaking,  half-melting,  with  a  second- 
rate  flavor.  Early  mid-autumn.  Shoots  diverging,  red- 
dish brown.  Origin,  Philadelphia. 

Petre.  Medium  size,  obovate,  sometimes  slightly  obovate- 
pyriform,  or  truncate-obconic,  base  wide  or  obtuse ;  sur- 
face pale  yellow,  often  slightly  russeted,  with  a  reddish 
brown  cheek ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long,  rather  stout, 
cavity  obtuse  at  bottom ;  basin  small,  smooth ;  flesh  fine- 
grained, sometimes  slightly  gritty,  buttery,  melting,  rich, 
sweet,  perfumed,  often  excellent — variable  in  quality  from 
first  to  second  rate.  Ripens  at  mid-autumn.  Growth 
moderate,  shoots  rather  slender,  yellowish. 

Pope's  Scarlet  Major.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate ; 
surface  yellow  with  a  red  cheek ;  stalk  long,  thick  ;  flesh 
breaking,  dry, — third-rate.  Long  Island,  N.  Y. 

PRATT.  Mediu  .  or  rather  large,  obovate-pyriform,  skin 
greenish-yellow,  thickly  dotted ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slen- 
der, moderately  sunk  ;  basin  wide,  shallow  ;  flesh  tender, 


244  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

inch  long,  cavity  obtuse,  small ;  calyx  short,  stiff,  scarcely 
cut ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  slightly  coarse,  buttery,  melt- 
ing, with  a  rich,  somewhat  aromatic,  fine  flavor.  Middle 
and  late  autumn.  Leaves  with  very  wavy  margins. 

Trescott.  Medium  in  size,  round-obovate,  light  orange  yel- 
low, sometimes  partly  russeted ;  stalk  one  and  a  half  to 
two  inches  long,  slender,  slightly  sunk  by  a  fleshy  knob; 
basin  slightly  plaited  ;  flesh  white,  fine-grained,  melting, 
juicy,  pleasant.  Early  mid-autumn.  A  native  of  Crans- 
ton, R.  I. 

WASHINGTON.  Medium  in  size,  oblong-obovate,  obtuse, — 
sometimes  slightly  obtuse-pyriform  ;  surface  smooth,  clear 
yellow,  handsomely  marked  with  conspicuous  red  dots  on 
"the  sunny  side,  slightly  russeted  round  the  stalk,  which  is 
an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  and  slightly  sunk  ;  calyx  small, 
partly  closed,  basin  shallow;  flesh  very  juicy,  melting, 
slightly  breaking,  with  a  rich,  unusually  sweet,  perfumed, 
first-rate  flavor.  Early  in  autumn.  Growth  vigorous, 
shoots  very  straight,  erect,  and  diverging.  Fruit  always 
fair,  but  varies  in  size  and  form — esteemed  most  by  those 
who  like  a  very  sweet  flavor. 

Westcott.  Size  medium,  roundish-obovate  ;  green,  becom- 
ing yellow;  flesh  melting,  juicy,  rich,  sweet,  perfumed; 
flavor  fine.  Early  in  autumn.  Origin,  Cranston,  R.  I. 

WHITE  DOYENNE.  (Syn.  Butter  Pear,  of  Pa.,  Virga- 
lieu,  of  N.  y.,  St.  Michael,  of  Boston,  Yellow  Butter, 
White  Beurre,  Doyenne,  Doyenne  Blanc.)  Medium  or 
rather  large,  regular  obovate,  obtuse,  sometimes  remotely 
pyriform  ;  surface  pale  yellow,  often  a  faint  blush  ;  stalk 
about  an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin 
shallow-;  flesh  of  very  fine  texture,  white,  buttery,  melt- 
ing, rich,  and  excellent.  Middle  to  late  autumn.  Shoots 
ascending,  greyish  yellow ;  leaves  folded,  recurved.  It 
fails  in  many  localities  near  Boston  and  elsewhere,  but 
through  inland  New- York  and  in  most  of  the  western 
states,  it  is  unsurpassed  in  its  excellent  qualities  of  hardy 
growth,  fair  fruit,  delicious  flavor  and  great  productive- 
ness ;  many  trees,  without  receiving  any  care  in  cultiva- 


AUTUMN    PEAES.  245 

tion,  yielding  tea  or  fifteen  bushels  of  perfect  fruit  in  a 
single  season. 

North  of  42  degrees  of  latitude,  it  becomes  a  late  autumn 
fruit,  and  may  be  kept  into  winter,  which  increases  its 
value  for  distant  market. 

Wilbur.  Medium  in  size,  frequently  rather  small ;  obovate, 
regular,  often  obovate-pyriform ;  skin  a  dull  green  and 
russet ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  one  inch  long,  cavity  very 
small ;  calyx  prominent,  scarcely  sunk ;  flesh  rather 
coarse,  melting,  juicy,  pleasant,  often  slightly  astringent, 
varying  from  second-rate  to  nearly  first-rate.  Valuable 
at  its  season.  Early  autumn.  Shoots  slender,  yellowish 
brown.  Origin,  Somerset,  Mass. 

Wilkinson.  Size  medium,  obovate,  narrowed  somewhat 
towards  the  crown,  largest  in  the  middle ;  skin  smooth, 
bright  yellow ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  stout, 
scarcely  sunk ;  calyx  stiff,  short,  basin  shallow ;  flesh 
white,  juicy,  melting,  sweet,  rich,  of  good  flavor.  Ripens 
from  mid-autumn  to  winter.  Shoots  long,  stout,  upright, 
greenish  yellow;  tree  thrifty,  hardy,  productive.  A  good 
second-rate  variety.  Origin,  Cumberland,  R.  I. 

Forelle  and  Capiaumont,  of  the  preceding  class,  often  ap- 
proach this  class  in  outline. 

Section  III.— Small. 

Capsheaf.  Rather  small;  short-obovate,  wide  at  crown, 
somewhat  obconic,  or  with  a  rounded  taper  to  the  stalk ; 
surface  deep  yellow,  mostly  russeted  ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
stout,  slightly  sunk ;  calyx  small,  basin  rather  large ; 
flesh  melting,  juicy,  buttery,  mild,  sweet,  good  second- 
rate.  Ripens  mid-autumn.  Shoots  erect,  stout,  yellowish 
brown ;  very  productive.  Rhode  Island. 

Dumortier.  Obovate,  dull  yellow,  with  some  russet ;  stalk 
an  inch  and  three-fourths  long,  slender ;  basin  very  shal- 
low; flesh  greenish  white,  melting,  sweet,  sometimes  high 
flavored.  Early  autumn.  A  third-rate  Belgian  variety. 

Edward's  Henrietta.  Medium  or  rather  small ;  obovate, 
crown  flattened,  stalk  on  a  rounded  point ;  surface  smooth, 
pale  yellowish-green;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long; 


246  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

calyx  closed,  basin  shallow,  faintly  plaited  ;  flesh  melting, 
juicy,  sub-acid.  Very  productive.  Late  summer.  New 
Haven,  Conn. 

Henry  IV.  (Syn.  Henri  Quatre.)  Rather  small,  round- 
obovate,  somewhat  turbinate ;  surface  greenish  yellow, 
often  somewhat  russeted,  sometimes  a  dark  reddish  brown 
cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  slender,  usually 
fleshy  at  insertion,  not  sunk  ;  basin  shallow,  abrupt,  calyx 
closed;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  rich,  perfumed,  mostly  first- 
rate  flavor.  Needs  house-ripening.  Early  in  autumn. 
Shoots  diverging  or  spreading,  yellowish  brown.  Very 
productive. 

Johonnot.  Rather  small,  roundish-obovate,  sometimes  near- 
ly round,  irregular ;  skin  pale  greenish^ellow  and  yel- 
lowish-brown, faintly  russeted  ;  stalk  about  an  inch  long, 
thick,  oblique,  fleshy  at  insertion,  not  sunk;  basin  round; 
flesh  rather  coarse,  melting,  buttery,  rich,  of  fine  flavor. 
Early  mid-autumn.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass.  The  value 
of  this  fine  little  pear  is  lessened  by  the  slow  growth  of 
the  tree. 

Manning's  Elizabeth.  Small,  obovate,  obscurely  pyriform, 
smooth,  yellow,  with  a  lively  blush ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
cavity  round,  shallow;  flesh  very  melting,  saccharine, 
sprightly,  high-flavored,  first-rate.  Ripens  the  first  of 
autumn.  Belgian. 

Rousselet  de  Rheims.  Rather  small,  obovate-turbinate, 
obscurely  pyriform ;  skin  greenish-yellow  in  the  shade,  a 
rich  brownish- red  in  the  sun,  partly  russeted;  stalk  an 
inch  long,  not  sunk ;  basin  little  or  none  ;  flesh  of  fine 
texture,  sweet,  rich,  perfumed,  half  buttery ;  rots  at  the 
core.  Early  autumn. 

SECKEL.  Small,  obovate,  sometimes  obscurely  obconic- 
pyriform,  regular  ;  skin  brownish-green,  becoming  rich 
yellowish-brown,  with  a  deep  brownish-red  cheek ;  stalk 
one-half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  and  basin 
small ;  flesh  very  fine-grained,  sweet,  very  juicy,  melting, 
buttery,  the  richest  and  highest  flavored  pear  known. 
Although  of  slow  growth,  and  small  size,  like  the  Green 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  247 

Gage  among  plums,  it  is  regarded  as  the  standard  of  ex- 
cellence. Its  high  musky  perfume  is  not,  however,  agree- 
able to  all.  Early  mid-autumn.  Shoots  stout,  short, 
ascending,  tree  very  hardy.  Needs  rich  cultivation.  Ori- 
gin, near  Philadelphia,  and  succeeds  well  throughout  the 
northern,  middle,  and  western  states,  and  is  remarkably 
free  from  the  blight. 

Williams'  Early.  Size  rather  small  or  medium,  obovate, 
varying1  to  roundish-turbinate,  regular ;  skin  smooth,  clear 
light  yellow,  with  a  bright  red  cheek  of  thick  scarlet  dots 
on  the  sunny  side ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long, 
straight,  not  sunk,  often  fleshy  at  insertion ;  basin  small, 
slightly  furrowed;  flesh  yellowish  white,  rather  coarse, 
melting,  half  buttery,  juicy,  rich,  slightly  musky.  Ripens 
the  first  two  weeks  of  autumn.  Shoots  dark.  A  good 
second-rate  fruit,  valuable  for  ripening  before  the  most 
of  autumn  pears.  Origin,  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Swan's  Egg.  (Syn.  Moor-fowl  Egg,  incorrectly.}  Small, 
oval  or  obovate,  crown  narrow ;  skin  pale  green,  with  a 
pale  brownish  blush ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long, 
slender,  scarcely  sunk ;  basin  none ;  flesh  soft,  juicy, 
sweet,  somewhat  musky.  A  third-rate  variety,  ripening 
about  mid-autumn.  Shoots  dark,  long,  flexuous.  Old 
English. 


CLASS  III. — ROUNDISH  OR  OBLATE. 
Section  I. — Large  Pears. 

Belle  et  Bonne.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate,  and 
remotely  obconic,  base  much  flattened ;  surface  pale 
greenish  yellow,  thickly  dotted  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  slender,  cavity  deep,  narrow;  calyx  closed  or  erect, 
basin  broad ;  flesh  white,  coarse,  sweet,  buttery  when 
well  ripened,  of  second-rate  quality.  Ripens  rather  early 
in  autumn.  Growth  strong. 


248  AUTUMN    PEAKS. 

Bezi  de  la  Motte.  Rather  large,  often  only  medium,  round- 
ish, crown  flattened,  tapering  slightly  to  the  stalk,  and 
sometimes  with  a  very  obscure  short  neck ;  skin  dull 
green,  becoming  yellowish-green  ;  thickly  and  very  con- 
spicuously dotted,  the  whole  surface  with  a  gray  cast ; 
stalk  an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk ;  basin  abrupt,  deep, 
sometimes  flattened  and  shallow;  flesh  yellowish  green, 
very  tender,  juicy,  melting,  with  sometimes  a  little  grit, 
sweet,  pleasant,  not  rich.  Quite  variable — in  some  locali- 
ties uniformly  good,  in  others  often  worthless.  Tree  har- 
dy, vigorous,  a  profuse  bearer,  and  fruit  always  fair — in 
flavor  it  is  but  second-rate,  but  very  agreeable  and  melt- 
ing. Ripens  through  mid-autumn.  Old  French. 

Charles  of  Austria.  (Syn.  Charles  d'Autriche.)  Large, 
roundish,  greenish-yellow,  slightly  russeted,  thickly  and 
conspicuously  dotted  with  brown  specks;  stalk  an  inch 
long,  slightly  sunk ;  basin  rather  narrow ;  flesh  tender, 
juicy,  sweet,  of  second-rate  flavor.  Mid-autumn.  Shoots 
stout,  upright,  yellow-olive. 

Crassane.  Large,  roundish,  flattened ;  skin  greenish  yel- 
low, netted  thinly  with  russet ;  stalk  long,  slender,  curved, 
cavity  shallow ;  calyx  small,  basin  narrow,  rather  deep ; 
flesh  soft,  juicy,  about  third-rate  in  quality.  Middle  and 
late  autumn!  Shoots  stout,  spreading.  Old  French. 

GanseVs  Bergamot.  (Syn.  Brocas  Bergamot.)  Rather  large, 
sometimes  only  medium ;  roundish-oblate,  more  or  less 
approaching  obovate,  flattened  most  at  crown;  skin  yel- 
lowish-brown, with  a  faint  russet  brown  blush ;  stalk  short, 
half  or  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  ends  often  fleshy  ; 
cavity  and  basin  smooth;  flesh  granular,  melting,  juicy, 
rich,  sweet,  perfumed,  with  a  first-rate  flavor.  Ripens 
through  several  of  the  early  weeks  of  autumn.  Shoots 
dark  gray,  spreading,  leaves  flat,  mealy.  English. 

Hacon's  Incomparable.  Rather  large,  roundish,  tapering 
a  little  to  the  base,  crown  slightly  flattened;  surface 
roughish,  yellowish  green,  slightly  russeted,  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  fourth  long;  calyx  short,  erect,  open;  cavity  and 
basin  broad,  shallow ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  sub-acid,  of 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  249 

second-rate  flavor.  Ripens  middle  and  late  autumn.   Shoots 
olive,  rather  slender,  diverging  or  spreading.     English. 

Stevens'  Genesee.  Large,  round-obovate,  often  considerably 
flattened;  skin  slightly  rough,  yellow  ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
stout,  thickest  at  insertion,  more  or  less  sunk  in  the  base; 
calyx  short,  stiff,  basin  smooth;  flesh  moderately  fine- 
grained, half  buttery,  slightly  granular,  with  a  rich,  fine 
flavor,  nearly  first-rate.  Ripens  the  first  of  autumn  and 
for  some  time  afterwards.  Shoots  gray,  leaves  narrow. 
Grows  with  great  vigor  on  the  quince.  Origin,  Livings- 
ton Co.,  N.  Y. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Althorpe  Crassane.  Size  medium,  roundish,  or  round-ovate, 
sometimes  slightly  oblong,  tapering  rather  most  to  the 
crown,  which  is  flattened ;  surface  light  green,  with  dark 
green  specks  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  to  an  inch  and 
three-fourths  long,  curved,  scarcely  sunk ;  calyx  many- 
cut,  erect,  basin  rather  shallow,  with  a  few  plaits ;  flesh 
fine-grained,  juicy,  melting,  somewhat  buttery,  good 
second-rate.  Middle  and  late  autumn.  English. 

Bergamotte  Cadette.  (Syn.  Beauchamps,  Beurre  Beau- 
champs,  Poire  de  Cadet. )  'Size  medium  ;  round-obovate, 
smooth;  pale  green  or  greenish-yellow,  often  partly  rus- 
seted ;  stalk  thick,  an  inch  long,  cavity  shallow  ;  calyx 
small,  closed,  or  erect,  scarcely  sunk ;  flesh  slightly  granu- 
lar, melting,  juicy,  pleasant,  with  a  good,  nearly  first- 
rate  flavor.  Late  autumn.  French. 

Calhoun.  Size  medium,  roundish,  regular,  remotely  obo- 
vate,  smooth,  yellow,  sometimes  a  little  russeted,  and 
with  a  red  cheek ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long, 
stout,  scarcely  sunk,  calyx  closed,  basin  very  shallow, 
flesh  juicy  and  melting,  with  a  sub-acid  or  vinous  flavor. 
Late  autumn.  Origin,  New-Haven,  Conn.  New. 

Compte  de  Lamy.  Size  medium,  roundish,  somewhat  ob- 
conic  or  turbinate,  crown  much  flattened ;  skin  yellow, 
with  a  brownish  blush  ;  dots  small,  many ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  fourth  long  with  no  cavity;  basin  shallow,  smooth; 


250  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

flesh  fine-grained,  buttery,  melting,  rich,  high-flavored. 
Ripens  about  raid-autumn.  Resembles  Dundas  in  form, 
without  the  deep  wide  basin  and  high  red  cheek  of  that 
variety.  Shoots  upright,  dark.  Belgian. 

Huguenot.  Medium  size ;  roundish,  pale-yellow ;  dots 
large,  red  ;  stalk  rather  slender,  without  cavity ;  calyx 
small,  basin  round  ;  flesh  half-breaking,  sweet,  deficient 
in  flavor.  Third-rate.  Mid-autumn.  Salem,  Mass. 

Michaux.  Medium  size,  nearly  round;  skin  yellowish 
green,  with  a  faint  blush ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
cavity  little  or  none;  basin  shallow;  flesh  juicy,  half 
buttery,  sweet,  second  or  third  rate.  Early  mid-autumn. 
French. 

Naumkeag.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  russeted,  cavity 
very  shallow  ;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  somewhat  astringent, 
second  or  third-rate.  Mid-autumn.  Salem,  Mass. 

Rousselet  de  Meester.  Medium  size,  roundish,  often  slight- 
ly oblate,  with  an  obscure,  very  short  neck  ;  skin  pale 
greenish  yellow;  sometimes  a  faint  blush  ;  stalk  an  inch 
and  a  half  long,  cavity  none  ;  calyx  large,  basin  small, 
irregular ;  flesh  melting,  sugary,  rich,  with  some  rough- 
ness of  flavor — a  good  second-rate  pear.  Mid-autumn. 
Belgian. 

Sylvange.  (Syn.  Green  Sylvange,  Bergamotte  Sylvange. J 
Size  medium,  roundish-obovate,  approaching  turbinate  ; 
skin  pale  green,  with  numerous  rough  small  dots;  stalk 
one  inch  long,  slender ;  basin  shallow ;  flesh  greenish- 
white,  fine-grained,  juicy,  melting,  tolerably  good.  Mid- 
dle and  late  autumn.  Shoots  stout,  dark  olive. 

Sieulle.  (Syn.  Beurr£  Sieulle,  Doyenne  Sieulle. J  Medium 
in  size,  roundish-oblate,  often  roundish-obovate,  with  a 
very  short,  obscure  neck ;  obtuse  ;  skin  pale  yellow,  with 
a  slight  blush,  and  sometimes  a  brilliant  broad  orange 
cheek ;  stalk  thick,  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  cavity 
shallow,  rarely  deep  ;  calyx  slightly  sunk  ;  flesh  buttery, 
fine-grained,  rich,  of  good  second-rate  or  nearly  first-rate 
quality.  Middle  and  late  autumn. 


AUTUMN    PEARS.  251 

Section  III. — Small. 

Aston  Town.  Rather  small,  roundish,  remotely  turbinate, 
crown  flattened ;  skin  rough,  brownish  green,  becoming 
yellowish  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  little  or 
none;  calyx  large,  erect,  scarcely  sunk;  flesh  melting, 
buttery,  sweet,  tolerably  good.  A  third-rate  English 
pear,  ripening  before  mid-autumn.  Shoots  slender,  growth 
irregular. 

Bergamot,  Autumn.  (Syn.  English  Bergamot,  Common 
Bergamot,  of  the  English,  English  Autumn  Bergamot.) 
Rather  small,  roundish-oblate,  rough,  greenish ;  stalk 
half  an  inch  long,  stout,  cavity  round,  wide  ;  calyx  small, 
basin  smooth,  shallow;  flesh  juicy,  sugary,  rather  rich; 
about  third-rate  in  value.  Early  autumn. 

Bergamotte  d'Automne.  Roundish-obconic,  remotely  pyri- 
form;  smooth,  fair,  pale  yellow,  with  a  brownish  red 
cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  cavity  and  basin 
slight ;  flesh  breaking,  juicy,  sweet,  not  rich.  French. 
Quite  distinct  from  the  preceding,  and  worthless. 

Bleeker's  Meadow.  Rather  small,  roundish,  or  flattish- 
obovate ;  very  regular ;  large  specimens  are  short-obo- 
vate ;  surface  yellow ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  stiff,  calyx 
open,  both  slightly  sunk;  flesh  very  sweet,  approaches 
buttery  and  melting  when  at  its  best,  but  usually  remains 
hard  and  worthless.  Middle  and  late  autumn.  Growth 
rapid,  upright,  very  productive.  Varies  from  second  to 
fourth-rate.  Origin,  Pennsylvania. 

Croft  Castle.  Size  rather  small  or  medium  ;  form  ovate,  ta- 
pering considerably  from  base  to  crown  ;  greenish  yellow, 
thickly  dotted  and  roughened  with  small  specks  ;  stalk 
an  inch  and  a  half  to  two  inches  long,  slender,  curved, 
not  sunk;  calyx  widely  reflexed  in  the  flat  narrow  crown; 
flesh  crisp,  juicy,  sweet,  second-rate.  Mid-autumn.  Eng- 
lish. 

Eyev;ood.  Small,  regular  round-oblate ;  pale  yellowish 
green,  becoming  dull  yellow,  thickly  dotted,  a  faint  brown- 
ish tinge  to  the  sun ;  stalk  very  long  ;  cavity  and  basin 
small ;  buttery,  melting,  rich,  fine,  sub-acid  like  the 


252  AUTUMN    PEARS. 

Beurre    d'Aremberg.      Late  autumn.     Buds  large,  with 
prominent  shoulders,  whence  its  name.     English.     New. 

Fulton.  Rather  small  or  nearly  medium  ;  roundish,  crown 
flattened  ;  whole  surface  a  smooth  gray  russet,  becoming 
a  dark  cinnamon  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter 
long,  slender,  cavity  round,  rather  narrow  ;  calyx  long, 
deep-cut,  basin  uneven ;  flesh  half-buttery,  melting,  rich, 
sprightly,  agreeable,  nearly  or  quite  first-rate.  Ripens 
middle  and  late  autumn.  Shoots  rather  slender,  reddish 
brown.  Tree  very  hardy  and  productive.  Valuable. 
Origin,  Topsham,  Maine. 

Moor-fowl  Egg.  (Syn.  Little  Swan's  Egg.)  Rather  small, 
roundish,  dull  green,  with  a  brown  cheek,  dots  minute ; 
stalk  long,  slender,  little  sunk  or  under  a  lip  ;  basin  small, 
flesh  soft,  juicy,  gritty,  sweet;  a  third-rate  Scotch  pear, 
ripening  about  mid-autumn. 

Princess  of  Orange.  Rather  small,  roundish,  slightly  neck- 
ed ;  color  cinnamon  and  light  reddish  russet ;  stalk  an 
inch  long  ;  cavity,  calyx,  and  basin  small ;  flesh  yellow- 
ish white,  crisp,  juicy,  vinous ;  about  second-rate,  some- 
times very  poor.  Late  autumn.  Belgian. 

Quiltette.  Size  nearly  medium  ;  roundish,  slightly  oblate; 
skin  greenish,  nearly  covered  with  dull,  iron-colored  rus- 
set ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  fleshy  at  insertion, 
with  no  cavity;  calyx  very  small  or  abortive,  basin  nar- 
row ;  flesh  melting,  buttery,  sweet,  rich,  perfumed ;  good 
second-rate,  sometimes  nearly  first-rate.  Late  autumn. 
Belgian. 


WINTER  PEARS. 


253 


DIVISION  III.— WINTER  PEARS. 

CLASS  I. — DISTINCT  PYRIFORM. 

Section  L— Large  Pears. 


Fig.  177— Beurre  tfAremberg.          Fig.  178— Glout  Morceau. 

BEURRE  D'AREMBERG.  (Syn.  Due  d'Aremberg,  Des- 
champs,  L'Orpheline.}  •  Large,  short  obconic-pyriform, 
approaching  obconic-obovate,  neck  rather  small ;  skin 
thick,  greenish-yellow,  partly  nisseted ;  stalk  short  or 


254  WINTER    PEARS. 

half  an  inch  to  an  inch  long,  thick,  oblique,  thickening 
with  flesh  towards  insertion;  calyx  erect;  basin  deep, 
narrow ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  rich,  with  a  high,  sub- 
acid  flavor — regarded  as  fully  first-rate  by  those  who  es- 
teem a  vinous  flavor.  Ripens  late  autumn  and  early  win- 
ter— keeps  with  little  care.  Very  productive.  Grows 
well  on  the  quince.  Leaves  slightly  waved.  Belgian. 

RIVERS  says  that  Orpheline  or  Soldat  Laboreur,'  of  the 
French,  is  a  variety  of  Beurre  d'Aremberg,  having  larger 
fruit  and  less  thorns  than  the  common  Beurr£  d'Aremberg. 
the  former  never  having  thorns.  THOMPSON  differs  from 
Rivers. 

A  very  different  pear  with  the  name  of  Soldat  Laboreur,  or 
Soldat  d'Esperen,  is  described  by  Rivers  as  a  large  turbi- 
nate  pear,  half-melting,  high-flavored  and  excellent — the 
tree  robust,  and  a-  great  bearer — ripening  about  mid- 
winter. 

Black  Worcester.  (Syn.  Iron  Pear,  Black  Pear  of  Worces- 
ter.) Large,  pyri form,  approaching  oblong-ovate;  body 
large,  short  ovate  ;  neck  short,  rather  obtuse ;  surface 
mostly  covered  with  dark  rough  russet  on  a  light  green 
surface  ;  stalk  half  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
cavity  none  ;  calyx  erect,  basin  small ;  flesh  hard,  coarse, 
rich,  somewhat  austere ;  stews  and  bakes  well.  An  es- 
teemed culinary  sort,  bearing  heavy  crops,  and  proving 
very  profitable  for  market.  Late  autumn  till  mid-winter. 
Growth  very  crooked  and  straggling. 

Catillac.  Large,  short  obconic-pyriform,  approaching  broad- 
turbinate,  crown  broad,  flattened ;  yellow,  often  with  a 
reddish  brown  cheek  ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  stout,  cavity  small,  wavy;  calyx  short,  erect  or 
spread,  basin  large,  plaited ;  flesh  hard,  but  excellent  for 
baking  and  stewing,  becoming  tender,  and  of  a  light  red 
color.  Keeps  through  winter.  French. 

Chaumontel.  (Syn.  Bezide  Chaumontelle,  Winter  Butter.) 
Large,  pyriform,  body  oblong  or  ovate,  neck  short,  obtuse, 
often  quite  obscure,  and  the  form  approaching  obovate  or 
oblong, — largest  at  the  middle ;  skin  a  little  rough,  yel- 
lowish in  the  shade,  with  more  or  less  brownish  red  and 
and  rich  deep  red  in  the  sun ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  mode- 


WINTER    PEARS.  255 

rately  sunk ;  basin  deep,  uneven,  or  angular;  flesh  but- 
tery, melting,  sugary,  with  a  fine  flavor.  Requires  warm 
rich  cultivation  to  develope  its  good  qualities.  Shoots 
long,  slender,  dark  brown.  Grows  well  on  the  quince. 
Early  Winter.  Old  French. 

GLOUT  MORCEAU.  (Syn.  Gloux  Morceaux,  Beurre  d'Har- 
denpont,  Colmar  d'Hiver,  Hardenpont  d'Hiver,  Linden 
d'Automne.)  Large,  short  pyriform,  approaching  obtuse- 
oval,  neck  very  shorthand  obtuse,  body  large,  and  taper- 
ing somewhat  towards  the  crown ;  often  considerably 
ribbed  ;  surface  green,  becoming  pale  greenish  yellow ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  not  oblique,  stout,  fleshy 
on  quince  stocks,  moderately  sunk  ;  calyx  large,  basin  dis- 
tinct, rather  irregular;  flesh  white,  fine-grained,  buttery, 
melting,  rich,  sweet,  with  no  acid,  .and  of  fine  flavor. 
Early  winter.  Succeeds  best  on  the  quince.  Preferred 
to  Beurre  d'Aremberg  by  those  who  like  a  sweet  pear — 
and  differs  from  it  in  its  sweet  flavor,  shorter  neck,  more 
rounded  or  tapering  crown,  even  (not  oblique)  stalk,  and 
more  obtuse  neck. 

Louise  Bonne.  Large  pyriform ;  smooth,  pale  green ;  stalk 
rather  short,  straight,  slightly  enlarged  towards  insertion ; 
calyx  small,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  white,  rather  coarse, 
third-rate  in  quality.  Early  winter.  Old  French. 

Pound.  (Syn.  Winter  Bell,  Angora.)  Very  large,  pyri- 
form, approaching  obconic,  crown  wide  ;  skin  yellowish- 
green,  with  a  brown  cheek  ;  stalk  two  inches  long,  calyx 
crumpled,  basin  narrow ;  flesh  solid,  hard,  stems  reddish 
color,  a  first-rate  culinary  pear.  Trees  strong,  healthy,  pro- 
ductive ;  shoots  stout,  upright,  dark.  Uvedale's  St.  Ger- 
main nearly  resembles  or  is  identical  with  this  variety. 

Spanish  Bonchretien.  (Syn.  Bon  Chretien  d'Espagne.) 
Large,  pyriform,  irregular,  narrowed  to  the  stalk,  one- 
sided ;  surface  deep  yellow  at  maturity,  with  a  bright  red 
cheek,  and  reddish  brown  dots ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half 
long,  bent  slender,  scarcely  sunk;  basin  rather  deep, 
narrow,  irregular;  flesh  white,  crisp,  or  half  breaking, 
moderately  rich — first-rate  for  cooking — worthless  as  a 
dessert  fruit. 


256 


WINTER    PEARS. 


Fig.  177—  Vicar  of  Winkfield.       Fig.  178-Prmce's  St.  Germain. 


WINTER    PEARS.  257 

St.  Germain.  Large,  long  obconic-pyriform ;  surface  yel- 
lowish green,  faintly  tinged  with  brown  to  the  sun ;  stalk 
an  inch  long,  oblique ;  basin  small  and  shallow ;  flesh 
white,  slightly  gritty,  juicy,  melting,  sweet,  and  agreea- 
ble ;  fails  in  many  localities,  and  becomes  a  third-rate 
fruit.  Late  autumn  and  early  winter.  Shoots  slender, 
light  olive  ;  leaves  narrow,  folded  and  recurved.  The 
Striped  St.  Germain  is  a  sub-variety,  differing  only  in  its 
faint  yellow  stripes. 

VICAR  OF  WINKFIELD.  (Syn.  Le  Cure,  Monsieur  le  Cure, 
Clion,  Dumas.J  Quite  large  ;  long  pyriform,  approaching 
oblong-obconic,  with  a  conical  taper  towards  the  crown ; 
skin  smooth,  pale  yellow,  or  pale  yellowish-green,  with  a 
dull  reddish  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
slender,  often  fleshy  at  insertion,  oblique,  not  sunk ;  basin 
narrow,  very  shallow ;  flesh  greenish  or  yellowish  white, 
juicy,  buttery,  with  a  good,  second-rate  flavor — sometimes 
slightly  astringent,  but  if  ripened  in  a  warm  temperature  it 
proves  a  good  table  pear.  Ripens  late  autumn  and  early 
winter,  for  about-  three  months.  Growth  spreading  and 
irregular,  or  straggling,  shoots  strong,  dark  olive.  Fine 
on  quince  stocks.  The  great  and  uniform  productiveness 
of  this  pear,  its  fine  qualities  for  cooking,  and  the  long 
period  of  its  continuance,  render  it  eminently  valuable. 

It  was  formerly  cultivated  at  Boston  under  the  erroneous 
name  of  Bourgermester.  The  true  Bourgermester  is  a 
third-rate  pear,  the  wood  of  which  cankers  badly. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Beurre  Ranee.  (Syn.  Beurre  de  Ranz,  Beurre  de  Rance> 
Hardenpont  du  Printemps,  Beurre  Epine,  Beurrt?  de  Flan- 
dre.)  Size  medium,  obtuse  pyriform  ;  dark  green,  rough- 
ish ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  very  shallow  or 
none ;  calyx  small,  basin  slight ;  flesh  greenish  white, 
melting,  gritty  at  core ;  when  well  ripened,  sweet,  juicy, 
and  of  fine  flavor,  Only  second-rate  as  far  north  as  Bos- 
ton, but  better  further  south.  Ripens  late  in  winter  and 
in  spring.  Shoots  brownish-yellow,  straggling;  leaves 
flat.  Originated  at  the  village  of  Ranee,  near  Mons,  in 
Belgium. 


258  WINTER    PEARS. 

Colmar.  Medium  in  size,  or  large,  pyriform,  obtuse  ;  skin 
smooth,  pale  greenish  yellow,  becoming  light  yellow  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  rather  stout,  bent,  cavity 
often  uneven  ;  basin  wide,  deep  ;  flesh  half  buttery,  melt- 
ing, juicy,  rich— about  second-rate.  Early  winter.  Bark 
of  the  tree  very  rough. 

Jaminette.  (Syn.  Josephine.)  Medium  or  rather  large, 
obovate-pyriform,  approaching  obovate,  small  specimens 
roundish  turbinate,  varying ;  crown  broad  ;  skin  yellow- 
ish-green, with  some  brownish  russet  ;  dots  numerous, 
often  confluent ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an  inch  long,  thick, 
cavity  little  or  none  ;  calyx  small,  erect,  stiff;  basin  round, 
even  ;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  buttery,  sweet,  of  good  second- 
rate  flavor.  Late  autumn  and  early  winter.  Origin,  Metz, 

in  France. 

* 

Las  Canas.  Size  medium,  regular  pyriform,  somewhat  ob- 
conic ;  neck  tapering  into  the  stalk ;  skin  yellow,  some- 
times sprinkled  with  thin  russet,  rarely  with  russet  blotch- 
es, dots  small  and  numerous ;  stalk  an  inch  long  ;  calyx 
slightly  sunk ;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  good,  nearly  first- 
rate. 

Passe  Colmar.  (Syn.  Colmar  Souverain,  Colmar  Harden- 
pont,  Colmar  Gris.)  Medium  or  rather  large  ;  skin  yel- 
lowish green,  becoming  pale  yellow,  often  lightly  sprinkled 
with  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long,  cavity  ob- 
tuse or  none,  calyx  erect,  basin  moderate ;  flesh  fine- 
grained, buttery,  juicy,  sweet,  rich,  and  when  well 
grown  and  ripened,  of  excellent,  first-rate  flavor — but 
when  overloaded,  with  small,  badly  matured  fruit,  the 
quality  rs  worthless.  The  tree  overbears,  and 'the  fruit 
needs  thorough  thinning.  Leaves  rather  small,  nearly 
flat.  Early  winter.  Belgian. 

Vicompte  de  Spoelberch.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate- 
pyriform,  somewhat  obconic;  skin  slightly  rough,  yellow, 
•with  a  purplish  blotched  cheek  to  the  sun,  very  slightly 
russeted  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  stout,  curved ; 
basin  round,  shallow ;  calyx  erect,  short ;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  rich,  fine.  Needs  high  cultivation  to  develope  its 
fine  qualities.  Early  winter.  Belgian. 


WINTER    PEARS.  259 

CLASS  II. — OBSCURE  PYRIFORM,  OBOVATE,  OR  TURBINATE. 
Sectio?i  I. — Large  Pears. 

Columbia.  (Syn.  Columbian  Virgalieu,  Columbia  Virgou- 
leuse.)  Large,  long  obovate,  regular,  handsomely  round- 
ed or  obtuse,  largest  near  the  middle ;  surface  pale  green, 
becoming  pale  yellow,  always  smooth  and  fair ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  long,  rather  slender ;  cavity  narrow, 
deep  ;  calyx  erect,  basin  small ;  flesh  white,  melting,  and 
buttery,  of  moderately  rich,  second-rate  or  third-rate  fla- 
vor. Ripens  early  winter.  Growth  upright,  vigorous, 
shoots  brownish  yellow.  The  large,  handsome  fruit,  and 
the  great  productiveness  of  the  tree  has  rendered  this 
variety  popular  and  profitable  for  market.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear to  succeed  so  well  as  far  north  as  Boston  and  Roches- 
ter, as  further  south.  A  native  of  Westchester  County, 
New-York. 

Easter  Beurre.  (Syn.  Doyenne  d'Hiver,  Bergamotte  de  la 
Pentacote,  Beurre  de  la  Pentacote,  Beurre  de  Paques, 
Chaumontel  tres  gros,  Canning,  Seigneur  d'Hiver.)  Large, 
obovate,  approaching  oval ;  surface  yellowish-green,  with 
some  russet ;  often  a  broad,  dull  reddish  cheek ;  stalk 
stout,  an  inch  long,  cavity  deep,  sometimes  obtuse,  ab- 
rupt ;  calyx  small,  closed  in  a  moderate  or  rather  shallow, 
plaited  basin ;  flesh  fine-grained,  very  buttery,  melting 
and  juicy,  and  when  well  grown  and  ripened,  of  excellent, 
first-rate  flavor.  It  does  not  often  mature  well  in  the 
northern  states.  Keeps  through  winter.  Growth  strong, 
rather  upright,  shoots  reddish-yellow ;  leaves  narrow, 
folded,  recurved.  Grows  well  on  the  quince. 

Knight's  Monarch.  Large,  regular,  obovate ;  surface  yel- 
lowish-brown, reddish  to  the  sun,  dots  numerous  ;  stalk 
very  short,  half  an  inch  long,  thick;  set  on  the  rounded 
base  with  little  or  no  cavity  ;  basin  shallow  ;  flesh  buttery, 
melting,  rich,  of  fine  quality.  Mid-winter.  Shoots  yel- 
lowish. Scarcely  as  yet  proved  in  this  country,  spurious 
sorts  having  been  widely  disseminated.  English. 


260  WINTER    PEARS. 

Black  Worcester,  Chaumontel,  and  Glout  Morceau,  of  the 
preceding  class,  often  approach  this  class  in  form  o 
outline. 

Section  II. — Mediu?n  in  size. 

BEURRE  GRIS  D'HIVER  NOUVEAU,  or  "Gray  Winter  Beurre.' 
Size  medium ;  obovate,  obtuse ;  skin  greenish,  conside1 
rably  russeted ;  stalk  thick,  short,  cavity  moderate ;  basir 
small;  flesh  greenish,  buttery,  melting,  very  juicy,  rich 
slightly  sub-acid — resembling  in  flavor  the  Beurre  d'Areni' 
berg,  but  rather  richer  and  less  acid.  Early  winter 
French.  New.  Promises  to  become  valuable. 

Bezi  Vaet.  Size  medium,  obovate ;  skin  rather  rough 
greenish  yellow,  russeted  with  a  brown  cheek ;  stalk  ar 
inch  and  a  fourth  long,  cavity  and  basin  slight ;  flesh  juicy, 
sweet,  with  a  second  or  third-rate  flavor.  Early  winter 

Brandos  St.  Germain.  Size  medium  ;  obovate,  often  con- 
siderably pyriform,  narrowing  to  both  ends,  smooth  anc 
regular  ;  skin  yellowish  green,  thickly  dotted  with  large 
russet  specks ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  thick,  obliquely  set : 
calyx  small,  stiff,  erect;  basin  small,  narrow,  often  none : 
flesh  buttery,  melting,  yellow  towards  the  core,  with  a 
pleasant,  slightly  acid,  good,  nearly  first-rate  flavor. 
Early  winter.  English.  New. 

Caen  du  France.  Medium  in  size,  obovate,  largest  at  the 
middle,  skin  with  a  rough  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
cavity  and  basin  rather  small ;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  rathei 
sweet,  resembling  Winter  Nelis  in  flavor,  but  less  melt- 
ing. Ripens  at  mid-winter. 

Comstock.  Medium  in  size,  obovate  ;  yellow  with  a  crim- 
son cheek  ;  stalk  and  calyx  slightly  sunk ;  flesh  crisp, 
sprightly,  about  third-rate  in  quality — handsome  but  poor. 
Early  winter.  Shoots  long,  upright,  reddish  yellow.  Ori- 
gin, Dutchess  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Coter.  Size  medium,  obovate,  obscurely  pyriform,  nearly 
regular,  light  yellowish  green,  brown  in  the  sun,  some- 
what russeted ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  without  cavity ;  seg- 
ments of  the  calyx  distinct  and  widely  reflexed ;  basin 


WINTER    PEARS.  261 

round,  moderate  ;  flesh  white,  rather  coarse,  buttery,  rich, 
slightly  perfumed,  nearly  or  quite  first-rate.  Late  au- 
tumn. Belgian. 

Easter  Bergamot.  (Syn.  Winter  Bergamot,  Paddington, 
Bergamotte  de  Paques,  Bergamotte  d'Hiver.)  Size  me- 
dium or  rather  large ;  round-obovate,  approaching  turbi- 
nate,  narrow  at  stalk ;  surface  yellowish  green,  dots  con- 
spicuous ;  stalk  from  three-fourths  to  an  inch  and  a  halt 
long;  calyx  small,  basin  round;  flesh  firm,  becoming 
melting,  juicy,  buttery;  a  second  or  third-rate  dessert 
fruit,  but  fine  for  stewing,  keeping  through  winter. 
Differs  from  Easter  Beurre  in  its  inferior  quality,  rounder 
form,  lighter  color,  and  in  its  green  shoots. 

Eckassery.  (Syn.  Echasserie,  Bezi  d'Echasserie.)  Size 
medium;  round-oval,  or  irregular  roundish;  color  pale 
green,  becoming  yellowish ;  often  a  dull  reddish  brown 
cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  narrow, 
irregular,  often  very  small;  calyx  erect,  slightly  cut, 
scarcely  sunk,  or  on  a  scarcely  perceptible  conical  taper 
of  the  crown ;  flesh  buttery,  melting,  with  a  sweet,  per- 
fumed flavor,  hardly  first-rate.  Shoots  rather  weak,  joints 
crooked.  French. 

Emerald.  Medium  in  size,  obovate,  irregular,  crown  ribbed; 
surface  green,  dotted  with  brown;- stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  cavity  narrow,  irregular,  often  very  small ; 
calyx  erect,  slightly  cut,  scarcely  sunk ;  flesh  half-break- 
ing or  melting,  very  juicy,  sweet,  good  second-rate.  Bel- 
gian. New. 

Flemish  Bonchretien.  (Syn.  Bon  Chretien  Turc.J  Size 
medium ;  obovate  ;  skin  pale  green,  with  a  brown  cheek; 
flesh  crisp,  juicy,  and  stews  very  tender.  A  first-rate 
culinary  pear,  keeping  through  winter. 

Fondante  du  Bois.  Size  medium;  obovate-turbinate, some- 
what obconic;  surface  mottled  with  russet  on  greenish 
yellow ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  obliquely  set 
and  slightly  sunk  ;  basin  moderate ;  flesh  buttery,  juicy, 
rather  rich,  slightly  acid  and  astringent,  with  a  Brown 


262  WINTER    PEARS. 

Beurre    flavor — good  second-rate,  approaching  first-rate. 
Early-winter.    New.     Somwhat  resembles  Passe  Colmar. 

Haddington.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate-pyriform, 
greenish  yellow,  with  small  distinct  russet  dots.  Some- 
times a  faint  brown  cheek ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an  inch 
long,  slender,  cavity  small ;  calyx  small,  basin  shallow  ; 
flesh  yellowish,  crisp,  juicy,  with  a  second-rate  flavor — 
sometimes  quite  poor.  Keeps  through  winter.  Phila- 
delphia. 

Leon  le  Clerc.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate,  crown 
swollen,  narrow  towards  the  stalk ;  skin  yellow,  russety 
at  ends  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  fleshy  at  in- 
sertion ;  calyx  large,  many-cut,  little  sunk ;  flesh  crisp, 
firm,  of  second  or  third-rate  quality. 

This  is  totally  distinct  from  the  celebrated  Van  Mons  Leon 
le  Clerc,  a  large,  fine  autumn  pear  already  described. 
The  Leon  le  Clerc  here  described  was  raised  by  Van 
Mons,  and  is  hence  sometimes  called  Van  Mons'  Leon  le 
Clerc ;  the  other  variety,  immeasurably  superior,  was 
raised  by  L£on  le  Clerc,  and  named  the  Van  Mons  Leon 
le  Clerc.  Confusion  has  arisen  from  this  slight  distinc- ' 
tion. 

Locke.  (Syn.  Locke's  Beurre.)  Medium  in  size,  round- 
obovate,  obscurely  pyriform,  regular ;  surface  yellowish 
green,  often  a  little  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  scarcely 
sunk  ;  calyx  small,  closed,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  greenish- 
white,  melting,  juicy,  second-rate.  Late  autumn  and 
early  winter.  Origin,  West  Cambridge,  Mass. 

McLaughlin.  Medium  in  size,  turbinate,  remotely  pyri- 
form ;  nearly  the  whole  surface  russeted,  with  a  warm  red 
cheek ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  fleshy  at  in- 
sertion, cavity  little  or  none ;  basin  rather  abrupt,  very 
small  and  narrow;  flesh  buttery,  rather  sweet,  or  very 
slightly  acid,  rich,  perfumed.  Early  winter.  Saco, 
Maine. 

Moccas.  Medium  in  size,  obovate  or  irregular  turbinate , 
surface  pale  green,  or  yellowish-green,  with  a  brown 
cheek,  and  russet  dots  and  streaks ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 


WINTER   PEARS.  263 

fourth  long,  curved,  with  no  cavity ;  calyx  short,  erect,  set 
shallow;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  with  a  rich,  fine  flavor. 
Early  winter.  English.  New. 

PRINCE'S  ST.  GERMAIN.  Size  medium;  obovate,  obtuse; 
surface  much  russeted  on  green,  dull  red  to  the  sun  ;  stalk 
an  inch  and  a  fourth  long,  cavity  small ;  calyx  large,  stiff, 
slightly  cut,  basin  smooth,  shallow;  flesh  yellowish  white, 
juicy,  melting,  slightly  vinous,  with  an  agreeable  and  fine 
flavor.  Keeps  well,  ripening  through  winter.  Origin, 
Flushing,  Long  Island. 

Virgouleuse.  Size  medium,  or  rather  large  ;  obovate,  round- 
ed at  both  ends;  smooth,  yellowish-green,  dots  numerous ; 
stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  little  or  none;  calyx  small, 
basin  wide,  very  shallow ;  flesh  buttery  and  melting,  of 
good  flavor.  Early  winter.  A  very  thin  bearer.  Origin, 
Virgoule,  a  village  of  France. 

This  is  totally  distinct  from  the  Virgalieu  or  White  Doyenne, 
already  described,  a  greatly  superior  late  autumn  pear. 

WINTER  NELIS.  (Syn.  Nelis  d'Hiver,  Bonne  de  Ma- 
lines.  J  Size  medium ;  roundish-obovate,  often  slightly 
pyriform,  with  a  neck  small  and  short ;  surface  yellowish- 
green,  much  russeted;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  quarter  long, 
bent ;  cavity  narrow ;  calyx  stiff,  short,  basin  shallow ; 
flesh  yellowish  white,  fine-grained,  buttery,  very  melting, 
rich,  sweet,  or  slightly  vinous,  perfumed,  aromatic,  with 
an  excellent  flavor.  Perhaps  the  highest  flavored  of  all 
winter  pears.  Early  winter.  Growth  slender,  often 
flexuousand  straggling;  leaves  narrow,  recurved ;  petioles 
rather  long.  Origin,  Mechlin,  in  Belgium. 

Section  III. — Small. 

Lewis.  Size,  below  medium ;  regular  obovate,  rarely  ob- 
scure-pyriform ;  surface  yellowish  green,  thickly  dotted 
with  dull  russet ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender, 
scarcely  sunk  ;  calyx  widely  reflexed,  basin  little  or  none; 
flesh  greenish-white,  melting,  juicy,  of  fine  rich  flavor. 
Core  large.  Early  winter.  Growth  vigorous,  branches 
becoming  drooping.  Profusely  productive.  Origin,  Rox- 
bury,  Mass. 

12 


264 


WINTER    PEARS. 


Fig.  179—  Winter  Nelis. 


Fig.  ISO— Easter  Beurre. 


WINTER    PEARS. 


CLASS  III. — ROUNDISH  OR  OBLATE. 
Section  I. — Large  Pears. 

Beurre  Bronz£e.  Rather  large,  roundish,  surface  rather 
rough,  a  dull  russet  on  green,  red  to  the  sun ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  quarter  long,  with  no  cavity ;  flesh  crisp,  juicy, 
about  second-rate.  Early  winter.  The  Figue  de  Naples 
is  cultivated  to  some  extent  in  New-England  under  this 
name. 

Holland  Bergamot.  (Syn.  Bergamotte  d'Hollande.)  Rather 
large,  roundish,  green,  much  russeted;  stalk  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  slender;  cavity  shallow,  one-sided;  calyx 
small,  slightly  cut,  basin  large  ;  flesh  crisp,  flavor  spright- 
ly, about  second  or  third-rate  in  quality.  Keeps  through 
spring,  and  is  a  good  culinary  pear.  Shoots  diverging  or 
spreading,  olive  brown. 

Gilogil.  Large,  oblate,  approaching  obovate,  smooth  and 
regular,  overspread  with  cinnamon  russet,  in  dots,  patches, 
and  nettings,  often  thickly  russeted ;  reddish  to  the  sun ; 
stalk  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  uneven, 
sometimes  deep  arid  round;  calyx  erect  or  closed;  flesh 
white,  firm,  breaking,  moderately  rich,  nearly  sweet, 
with  a  third-rate  flavor.  Unproductive  in  this  country — 
esteemed  for  preserving  in  France,  its  native  country. 
Early  winter.  Growth  strong,  upright. 

Section  II. — Medium  in  size. 

Bezi  d'lJeri.  (Syn.  Wilding  of  Heri.)  Size  medium, 
roundish,  skin  greenish  yellow,  with  a  reddish  blush; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender  ;  calyx  open,  basin 
shallow ;  flesh  tender,  juicy,  free  from  grit,  with  an  anise- 
like  flavor.  A  fine  winter  culinary  pear,  worthless  for 
the  dessert.  Early  winter.  French. 

Broom  Park.  Size  medium ;  roundish ;  skin  brown ;  flesh 
white,  juicy,  melting,  of  second-rate  flavor.  Early  win- 
ter. Shoots  diverging  or  spreading,  dark  brown.  English. 


266  WINTER    PEAKS. 

Cross.  Medium  in  size,  roundish ;  surface  yellow,  often 
with  a  red  cheek,  and  some  russet ;  stalk  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  long,  very  thick,  set  shallow  ;  calyx  small,  rather 
deeply  sunk;  flesh  melting,  juicy,  with  a  rich,  high,  fine 
flavor — of  first-rate  quality.  Early  winter.  Shoots  rather 
slender,  greyish  yellow.  Origin,  Newburyport,  Mass. 

Franc  Real  d'Hiver.  (Syn.  Franc  Real,  Fin  Or  d'Hiver.) 
Size  medium ;  roundish,  yellow,  sprinkled  with  russet 
brown,  and  with  a  brownish  cheek  ;  stalk  an  inch  long, 
cavity  small ;  calyx  small,  basin  shallow ;  flesh  firm, 
crisp,  fine  for  stewing,  becoming  tender,  and  of  a  light 
purple  color.  Keeps  through  winter.  Very  productive. 
Growth  upright,  leaves  wavy. 

Winter  Crassane.  Size  medium,  flattish  turbinate,  taper- 
ing to  stalk,  crown  much  flattened ;  skin  whitish-yellow, 
more  or  less  russeted,  dots  dark  and  numerous  ;  stalk  two 
inches  or  more  long,  curved,  cavity  none  ;  calyx  large, 
distinctly  five-cut,  basin  large,  wide,  obtuse;  flesh  white, 
rather  dry,  about  third-rate. 

Section  III. — Small. 

Fortunee.  Syn.  Bergamotte  Fortunee,  Beurre  Fortunee.)  Ra- 
ther small,  or  nearly  medium;  roundish,  slightly  necked, 
somewhat  irregular ;  whole  surface  a  rich  cinnamon  rus- 
set, (like  Fulton,)  stalk  an  inch  long,  usually  slightly  en- 
larged at  ends  ;  calyx  small,  basin  round,  smooth  ;  flesh 
yellowish  white,  rich,  and  perfumed — when  well  ripened, 
nearly  first-rate — sometimes  the  flesh  is  white,  and  of  poor 
flavor.  Keeps  through  winter. 

Ne  Plus  Meuris.  Small,  roundish,  usually  very  irregular, 
with  swollen  parts  on  the  surface ;  surface  rough,  dull 
yellowish-brown,  with  some  iron-colored  russet ;  stalk 
short,  cavity  little  or  none  ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  buttery, 
melting,  and  juicy,  good.  A  second  or  third-rate  variety. 
Keeps  through  winter.  Belgian. 


COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  PEARS, 

ACCURATELY    EKDUCED     TO     ONE-HALF     THE    DIAMETER,    FROM 
ACTUAL    SPECIMENS. 


Fig.  181.        Fig.  182.        Fig.  183       Fig.  184. 
Skinless.        Manning's          Ott.  Pratt. 


Elizabeth. 


Fig.  185.         Fig.  186. 

English  French 

Jargonelle.       Jargonelle. 


Fig.  187. 
Onondaga,  or 
Sloan's  Orange. 


268 


COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  PEARS. 


Fig.  188— (2  outlines.) 
Brandywine* 


Fig.  189. 
Kingsessing. 


Fig.  190. 
Moyamensing. 


Fig.  191.        Fig.  19-2.  Fig.  193.  Fig.  194. 

Petre.      Belle  Lucrative.    Fonetenay  Jalousie.    Heathcot. 


Fig.  195.      Fig.  196. 
Seckel.      Henry  IV. 


Fig.  197. 

Rovsselet  de 

Rkeimt. 


Fig.  198. 
Fulton. 


Fig.  199. 
Eyewood. 


COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  PEARS. 


Fig.  200. 
Brmon  Beurre. 


Fig.  201. 
Oswego  Beurre. 


Fig.  202. 
Lawrence. 


Fig.  204. 
Fig  of  Naples. 


Fig.  205. 
Napoleon. 


Fig.  206. 
Duchesse  d' Orleans- 


Fig.  207. 
Figue. 


270 


COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  PEARS. 


Fig  211.  Fig.  212. 

Marie  Louise.  Duchesse 

d'Angouleme. 


Fig.  210. 

Bergamotte 

Cadette. 

Fig.  213. 
Beurre  Diet. 


Fig.  215. 

Van  Mons' 

Leon  It  Clerc. 


COMPARATIVE  FORMS  OF  PEARS. 


271 


Fig.  217.  Fig.  218.  Fig.  219.  Fig.  220. 

Leu  Canas.    Passe  Colmar.      Beurre  gris  Leufis. 

d'Hiver  Nouveau. 


Fig.  221. 
Elack  Worcester. 


Fig.  223. 
Pound. 


12* 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE    QUINCE. 


THE  QUINCE,  a  small,  irregularly  growing  tree  of  about 
ten  or  twelve  feet  high,  bears  one  of  the  best  fruits  for  pre- 
serves and  jellies,  and  for  giving  additional  flavor  to  apple 
tarts.  It  is  unfit  for  eating  in  a  raw  state.  The  young  trees 
are  extensively  used  as  stocks  for  the  propagation  of  dwart 
pear  trees. 

The  quince  is  usually  propagated  by  layers  and  by  cut- 
tings. When  by  cuttings,  they  are  to  be  '  taken  from  the 
tree  in  the  spring,  and  buried  in  an  upright  position,  in  a 
light,  deep  soil,  and  in  a  moist  shaded  place,  not  less  than 
ten  inches  or  a  foot  deep,  and  leaving  but  a  small  portion 
above  ground.  If  the  shaded  place  cannot  be  had,  spread 
over  the  surface  of  the  ground,  after  they  are  planted,  a 
coat  of  moss,  or  partially  decayed  leaves.  If  the  weather 
becomes  very  dry,  water  them. 

To  propagate  by  layers,  the  young  shoots  are  to  be  laid 
down  in  the  spring,  and  buried  so  as  to  leave  only  two  or 
three  buds  at  the  extremity  above  ground.  When  these 
buds  have  well  started,  the  best  only  should  be  left  for 
growing.  A  part  of  them  will  throw  out  roots  by  autumn, 
and  may  be  removed  from  the  parent  tree  and  set  out  in 
rows ;  the  rest  should  remain  a  second  year  till  rooted.  If 
the  ground  is  rich,  and  they  are  kept  well  cultivated  and 
straightened  by  stakes,  the  cuttings  and  layers  will  produce 
trees  fit  for  removal  as  standards  in  two  or  three  years. 

The  soil  for  the  quince  should  be  deep  and  rich,  such  as 
will  raise  good  corn  and  potatoes,  and  should  be  kept  well 
cultivated.  A  rather  moist  soil  has  been  preferred  by  many, 
but  it  is  by  no  means  essential,1*  deep  and  enriching  culti- 
vation being  of  incalculably  more  importance.  In  connex- 

*  The  hardiness  of  the  quince  enabling  it  to  endure  wetter  soils,  than  other  trees, 
has  led  to,  this  opinion  ;  but  better  quinces  have  never  been  raised  than  on  highly 
enriched  and  well  cultivated  dry  upland. 


THE    QUINCE.  273 

ion  with  the  yearly  application  of  good  manure,  a  special 
manuring  of  salt  is  eminently  beneficial.  The  salt  should  be 
spread  early  in  spring  beneath  the  trees  just  thick  enough  to 
half  conceal  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Common  manure, 
without  salt,  will  not  give  the  finest  quinces,  nor  will  an 
unmanured  or  poor  .soil  endure  heavy  doses  of  salt. 

The  total  neglect  of  the  cultivation  of  the  quince  by  many 
who  have  planted  out  the  trees,  has  resulted  in  their  dwarfish 
and  stunted  growth,  and  entire  unproductiveness.  To  reno- 
vate such  trees,  cut  or  saw  out  the  thick  profusion  of  suckers 
which  surround  the  stem,  ("fig-  226,)  deepen  the  soil  with 
the  space  as  much  as  the  roots  will  admit,  and  apply  a  large 
barrow-load  of  compost  to  each  tree,  made  by  a  thorough  in- 
termixtnre  some  weeks  previously,  of  stable  manure  and 


Fig.  225.  Fig.  226. 

black  muck,  and  then  spread  a  thin  coating  of  salt  upon  the 
surface.  This  should  be  done  in  the  spring  of  the  year. 
The  pruning  may  be  such  as  to  remove  the  suckers,  and 
reduce  the  number  of  stems  to  three  or  four,  or  the  tree 
may  be  trimmed  to  one  clean  stem,  as  shown  in  fig.  225. 

The  wide  difference  between  the  results  of  these  two 
modes  of  treatment,  can  be  only  appreciated  by  those  who 
have  witnessed  the  experiment.  By  neglect,  the  crop  will 
at  best  be  small,  and  the  quinces  diminutive  and  knotty ; 
by  enriched  culture,  a  profusion  of  large  golden  fruit  will 
load  the  tree,  which  will  at  all  times  command  a  ready  sale 
even  in  a  well  supplied  market. 

In  planting  quince  orchards,  the  distance  asunder  may  be 
about  ten  or  twelve  feet,  which  will  be  found  near  enough 
for  full-grown  trees,  on  a  deep,  rich,  and  well-treated  soil. 
If  the  ground  is  previously  subsoiled,  and  well  manured  by 
trench-plowing,  the  young  trees  will  come  into  bearing  in 


274  THE    QUINCE. 

about  three  years,  and  continue  productive,  if  well  managed, 
for  forty  years,  or  more. 

Quince  trees,  when  once  in  good  condition,  need  but  little 
pruning.  All  that  is  necessary  is  to  cut  out,  annually,  old 
or  decayed  wood,  or  any  branches  that  make  the  head  too 
thick,  or  that  prevent  an  evenly  distributed  and  symmetrical 
form.  Manure  or  compost  should  be  applied  late  in  autumn, 
and  salt  in  spring. 

ENEMIES. 

The  quince  is  frequently  attacked  by  the  blight,  causing 
the  death  of  the  ends  of  the  branches,  and  sometimes  spread- 
ing and  destroying  the  tree.  The  remedy  is  the  immediate 
and  constant  excision  of  the  injured  parts,  and  burning 
them. 

The  borer  sometimes  proves  a  formidable  enemy.  It  is 
the  larva  of  an  insect  which  attacks  the  wood  of  the  trunk  near 
the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  works  inwards,  usually  up- 
wards, but  sometimes  downwards,  to  a  distance  of  several 
inches  into  the  wood,  during  the  summer  season. 

As  the  borer  frequently  destroys  the  tree,  various  means 
of  prevention  have  been  resorted  to.  The  remedies  de- 
scribed for  the  apple-borer  are  found  useful.  When  the  insect 
has  once  obtained  possession,  the  best  method  appears  to  be 
direct  attack.  Scrape  the  soil  from  the  trunk,  and  cut  with 
a  knife  lengthwise,  and  not  across  the  bark  and  wood,  till 
the  insects  are  found.  Repeat  the  operation  once  a  week 
for  several  times,  as  a  part  escape  the  first  examination. 
Then  cover  the  wounded  parts  with  a  mixture  of  warm  tar 
with  ochre  or  brick-dust.  It  is  a  great  saving  of  labor  to 
arrest  early  their  progress ;  hence  trees  should  be  examined 
frequently.  They  may  sometimes  be  extracted  by  a  flexi- 
ble barbed  wire,  when  cutting  out  would  too  much  muti- 
late the  tree. 


THE    QUINCE.  275 

VARIETIES. 

ORANGE  OR  APPLE  QUINCE.  (Syn.  Angers.)  Large,  some  sub- 
varieties  quite  large, 
roundish,  somewhat  ir- 
regular, with  a  small 
and  very  short  neck  at 
the  base  ;  surface  of  a 
fine  golden  color  ;  flesh 
firm,  stewing  rather 
tender,  of  excellent  fla- 
vor. Ripens  soon  after 
mid-autumn.  Leaves 
_  oval.  Tree  productive, 

Fig.  227.  Orange  Quince.    Fig.  228.   Pear  Quince,    if  Well  Cultivated. 

This  is  the  most  common  sort,  and  by  continual  propagation 
of  seedlings,  several  sub-varieties  have  been  produced, 
varying  slightly  in  coarseness  or  firmness  of  texture,  size 
and  form.  The  largest  sometimes  weigh  a  pound.  It 
strikes  freely  from  cuttings,  and  forms  the  best  stocks  for 
the  pear. 

Pear  Qui?ice.  (Syn.  Oblong  or  Pyriform  Quince.)  Size 
medium  or  rather  large,  pyriform,  body  roundish-oblong, 
neck  about  one-half  or  one-third  the  length  of  the  body; 
skin  rather  dull  rich  yellow;  flesh  firm,  tough,  dry,  with 
a  high  flavor,  stewing  less  tender  than  the  Orange  quince. 
Ripens  late  in  autumn,  and  hence  adapted  to  distant 
marketing.  Leaves  oblong-ovate.  A  moderate  bearer. 

Portugal  Quince.  Quite  large,  oblong-pyriform,  largest  at 
the  middle  and  tapering  to  each  end;  yellow;  flesh  more 
juicy,  and  less  harsh  than  the  other  varieties.  Stews  well, 
and  becomes  a  fine  purple  or  deep  crimson  -.  hen  cooked. 
Leaves  broad,  cordate,  downy,  larger  than  those  of  the  com- 
mon quince,  and  growth  stronger.  The  fruit  is  rather  su- 
perior in  quality,  but  the  value  of  the  variety  is  much  les- 
sened by  its  unproductiveness.  It  does  not  strike  readily 
fro:n  cuttings.  The  common  or  Orange  quince  is  often 
sold  as  the  Portugal. 

The  Japan  and  Chinese  quinces  are  cultivated  mci'rly  as 
ornamental  shrubs. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


THE    PEACH. 


-  THE  PEACH,  the  most  delicious  fruit,  when  in  perfection, 
of  our  climate,  succeeds  in  favorable  localities,  from  Maine 
to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  In  the  more  northern  regions,  the 
ripening  of  the  earlier  varieties  commences  only  a  few 
weeks  before  the  close  of  the  summer  months ;  in  the  ex- 
treme south,  well  matured  peaches  are  obtained  nearly  as 
early  as  cherries  and  strawberries  at  the  north. 

The  trees  are  more  tender  and  of  shorter  duration  than 
most  fruit  trees  of  temperate  climates.  In  some  localities, 
they  bear  only  two  or  three  good  crops,  and  then  decline  or 
perish.  On  favorable  soils,  they  continue  for  twenty  or 
thirty  years.  In  western  New- York,  trees  have  in  rare  in- 
stances borne  fruit  for  forty  or  fifty  years.  In  France,  ac- 
cording to  authentic  testimony,  peach  trees  which  have  been 
annually  and  freely  pruned,  have  lived  to  an  age  of  one  hun- 
dred years  ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  on  favorable  soils, 
and  by  a  regular  shortening-in  pruning,  most  of  our  orchards 
would  endure  much  longer  than  the  ordinary  period. 

The  most  extensive  peach-growing  regions  are  in  New- 
Jersey,  Delaware,  and  Maryland.  Some  orchards  have  con- 
tained 20,000  trees,  and  hundreds  of  acres  have  been  occu- 
pied with  the  plantations  of  single  proprietors.  The  north- 
ern portions  of  Ohio  and  westerrn  New- York,  protected  on 
the  north  by  Lakes  Erie  and  Ontario,  afford  a  very  favor- 
able climate  for  this  fruit.  But  throughout  the  country  at 
large,  the  selection  of  proper  localities  would  doubtless  af- 
ford good  and  regular  crops,  even  in  districts  where  its 
culture  is  rarely  attempted.  The  remarks  on  this  subject 
on  p.  63  of  this  work,  are  particularly  commended  to  the 
attention  of  those  who  may,  attempt  the  peach  culture  in  se- 
vere climates. 


THE   PEACH.  277 

The  destruction  of  the  peach  crop  is  caused  in  nearly  all 
cases  by  the  intensely  severe  cold  of  winter.  Vernal  frosts, 
to  which  its  loss  is  often  erroneously  ascribed,  very  rarely 
have  any  influence.  If  the  fruit  buds  remain  unswollen. 
they  will  endure  almost  any  degree  of  cold  to  which  our 
climate  is  liable.*  But  it  often  happens  that  we  have  a 
few  days  of  mild  or  warm  weather  late  in  autumn  or  during 
winter.  This  is  sufficient  to  swell  them  slightly,  or  to  throw 
moisture  enough  into  them  to  render  them  tender ;  and  if 
the  thermometer  should  then  sink  several  degrees  below 
zero,  there  is  scarcely  a  chance  for  their  escape.  Their 
condition  may  be  ascertained  within  a  few  days  by  making 
a  cross  cut  with  a  knife  through  the  fruit  buds.  If  destroyed, 
the  centre  will  be  dark  brown;  if  uninjured,  they  will  pre- 
sent the  fresh  yellow-centre  of  sound  buds. 

PROPAGATION    OF    THE    TREES. 

The  peach  tree  is  of  remarkably  easy  and  rapid  propaga- 
tion. In  rare  instances,  seedling  trees  have  borne  the  second 
year,  or  sixteen  months  from  the  planting  of  the  stone. 
'Stocks  may  be  budded  the  first  summer,  affording  trees  five 
or  six  feet  high  the  second  autumn.  Transplanted  the 
second  year  from  the  bud,  the  trees  with  good  cultivation, 
usually  come  into  bearing  about  the  third  year  afterwards. 

Some  varieties  reproduce  the  same  from  the  stone  with 
slight  variation,  but  the  only  certain  way  to  perpetuate  de- 
licious sorts,  is  by  budding.  Grafting  rarely  succeeds.!  For 
directions  see  page  42  of  this  work.  It  often  happens  at  the 
north,  that  the  severe  frost  of  winter  destroys  the  inserted 
buds,  which  die  and  drop  off,  leaving  the  attached  portion 
of  bark  adhering  fresh  and  green  to  the  stock.  This  disas- 
ter, which  so  often  disappoints  the  hopes  of  the  young  cul- 
tivator, is  to  be  prevented  by  selecting  buds  from  the  largest 
and  thriftiest  shoots.  These  usually  possess  sufficient  vigor 
to  withstand  severe  frosts.  The  triple  buds  on  the  older  and 
more  matured  portions  of  the  shoots  of  bearing  trees,  often 
survive  when  the  single  buds  above  them  perish;  as  maybe 

*  Peaches  are  successfully  raised  so  far  north  that  the  thermometer  usually  falls 
to  30  degrees  below  zero,  by  protecting  them  from  the  vicissitudes  of  the  weather  of 
\vinier,  by  means  of  a  good  coating  of  evergreen  boughs. 

t  At  the  south,  where  the  warm  and  moist  climate  often  approaches  in  character 
that  of  a  hot-house,  grafts  of  the  peach  often  do  well,  and  even  cuttings  of  the  ap- 
0'.e  inserted  in  open  ground  frequently  take  ready  root. 


278  THE   PEACH. 

at  once  perceived  by  examining  the  shoots  of  bearing  trees 
late  in  spring. 

When  stocks  are  not  budded  till  the  second  summer,  it  is 
very  important  to  cut  them  down  the  previous  spring,  and 
suffer  but  one  ascending  sprout  to  grow,  which  will  form  a 
fine  thrifty  shoot  for  the  reception  of  the  bud. 

In  raising  stocks,  select  the  seed  of  hardy  and  late  varie- 
ties. The  stones  are  not  injured  if  kept  dry  in  a  cellar  till 
winter.  If  they  become  water-soaked  for  a  length  of  time, 
they  are  spoiled.  But  soaking  in  water  for  a  day  or  two, 
and  subsequent  exposure  to  freezing,  facilitates  the  crack- 
ing of  the  stone.  One  of  the  best  modes  of  treatment  is  to 
keep  the  stones  in  a  moist  cellar  till  near  spring,  then  to 
soak  them  in  tubs  or  barrels,  till  the  shells  are  well  swollen 
with  moisture.  They  are  then  placed  in  thin  layers  on  the 
surface  of  the  ground,  and  exposed  for  two  or  three  weeks 
to  the  action  of  the  frost,  being  protected  from  drying  by  a 
covering  of  soil,  leaf-mould  or  muck.  About  the  time  the 
frost  disappears  from  the  ground,  they  are  taken  up  and 
cracked  by  hand,  placing  the  stone  on  the  end  of  a  wooden 
block,  and  striking  a  gentle  blow  on  the  side  edge  with  a 
hammer.  The  kernels  are  thus,  taken  out  uninjured.  They 
are  then  planted  one  or  two  inches  deep,  (a.  light  thin  soil 
needing  more  depth  than  a  heavy  and  moist  one,)  and  if 
they  have  been  previously  uninjured,  nearly  every  one  will 
grow.  Care  is  needed  that  the  seeds  do  not  become  dried 
nor  mouldy  before  planting. 

When  it  is  intended  for  them  to  come  up  evenly,  as  they 
are  to  remain  in  the  nursery  row,  the  most  certain  way  to 
avoid  vacancies  or  failures,  is  to  sprout  them  before  plant- 
ing. This  is  effected  by  mixing  the  kernels  with  sand  and 
leaf-mould,  and  spreading  them  in  a  thin  bed  in  the  sun. 
When  sprouted,  a  line  or  cord,  permanently  marked  at  equal 
distances  of  eight  inches  with  a  touch  of  paint,  is  stretched 
on  the  ground,  and  a  sprouted  kernel  carefully  inserted  at 
every  mark  of  the  line,  by  means  of  a  transplanting  trowel. 
This  insures  great  regularity  in  the  rows.  Accidental  va- 
cancies may  be  filled  from  a  seed  bed  when  the  plants  are 
not  more  than  two  inches  high.  To  prevent  drying,  the 
sprouted  seeds  should  be  kept  covered  with  a  flake  of  wet 
moss  or  a  wet  cloth,  until  deposited  in  the  ground ;  and  if 


THE    PEACH.  279 

the  weather  be  dry,  watering  the  ground  may  be  requisite. 

By  planting  the  peach  stones  without  cracking,  a  very 
small  portion  will  grow,  and  no  regularity  can  be  attained 
in  the  rows. 

If  the  soil  is  good,  and  the  cultivator  is  passed  between 
the  rows  as  often  as  once  a  fortnight, — oftener  is  better, — 
the  trees  will  be  large  enough  to  bud  by  the  close  of 
summer. 

In  cases  where  the  ground  cannot  be  prepared  early  for 
their  reception,  germination  may  be  retarded  by  burying 
the  uncracked  stones  a  foot  or  two  beneath  the  surface,  till 
wanted. 

The  distances  of  the  rows  asunder  should  be  about  the 
same  as  for  apples  and  other  trees  in  the  nursery,  or  about 
three  and  a  half  feet. 

Plum  stocks  for  the  peach,  slightly  lessen  the  luxuriance 
of  growth,  render  the  trees  smaller,  and  increase  their  har- 
diness for  the  extreme  north  by  withholding  the  supply  of 
sap  till  later  in  spring,  and  earlier  in  autumn,  and  thus  fa- 
vor an  early  maturity  of  the  young  wood.  Small  dwarfs 
are  produced  by  budding  on  the  Mirabelle,  a  diminutive  va- 
riety of  the  plum.  The  plum  stock  is  also  sometimes 
employed  to  guard  against  the  peach  borer,  a  remedy  often 
unsuccessful,  as  that  insect  frequently  attacks  the  peach 
above  the  place  of  union. 

Unlike  most  other  fruit  trees,  the  peach  may  be  trans- 
planted in  the  spring  next  after  the  insertion  of  the  bud, 
with  scarcely  a  check  in  its  growth. 

ORCHARDS. 

The  selection  of  locality  fcas  been  treated  of;  the  soil  is  a 
matter  of  importance.  The  following  remarks  of  A.  J. 
DOWNING  on  this  subject,  accord  with  general  experience: — 

"  The  very  best  soil  for  the  peach  is  a  rich,  deep  sandy 
loam ;  next  to  this,  a  strong  mellow  loam  ;  then  a  light, 
thin,  sandy  soil,  and  the  poorest,  is  a  heavy,  compact  clay 
soil.  We  are  very  well  aware  that  the  extensive  and  pro- 
fitable appropriation  of  thousands  of  acres  of  the  lightest 
sandy  soil  in  New-Jersey  and  Delaware,  has  led  many  to 
believe  that  this  is  the  best  soil  for  the  peach.  But  such  is 
not  the  fact,  and  the  short  duration  of  this  tree  in  those  dis- 


280  THE    PEACH. 

tricts,  is  unquestionably  owing  to  the  rapidity  with  which 
the  soil  is  impoverished.  We  have,  on  the  contrary,  seen 
much  larger,  finer,  and  richer  flavored  peaches  produced  for 
a  long  time  successively  on  mellow  loam,  containing  but  little 
sand,  than  upon  any  other  soil  whatever." 

In  transplanting  for  an  orchard,  the  practice  of  shorteni?ig- 
in  the  shoots,  described  in  the  chapter  on  transplanting,  should 
be  invariably  attended  to,  as  it  is  of  the  greatest  importance 
in  the  safe  removal  of  peach  trees.  Trees  two  years  from 
the  bud,  where  this  practice  is  observed,  will  be  found  de- 
cidedly better  than  those  of  one  year  only,  for  the  regions  of 
the  north.  Fifteen  to  twenty  feet  apart  is  the  common  dis- 
tance for  orchards ;  but  as  better  crops  and  better  fruit  is 
obtained  where  the  heads  are  kept  well  shortened-in,  and 
consequently  within  less  compass,  a  distance  of  twelve  feet 
only  will  be  found  sufficient.  The  best  culture  consisting  in 
the  absence  of  all  other  crops  on  the  ground,  the  nearerd  is- 
tance  will  be  found  the  most  profitable.  A  distance  of 
twelve  feet  apart  will  give  more  than  three  hundred  trees 
per  acre  ;  fifteen  feet  less  than  two  hundred ;  and  twenty 
feet  scarcely  more  than  one  hundred. 

While  the  trees  are  small,  the  intermediate  spaces  be- 
tween the  rows  may  be  cultivated  with  low  hoed  crops ;  but 
afterwards  it  will  be  found  best  to  keep  the  ground  perfect- 
ly clean  and  mellow  by  plowing  and  harrowing.  Where 
soils  are  very  shallow,  top  dressing  with  manure  in  autumn, 
and  frequent  harrowing,  have  been  found  best ;  the  roots 
being  thus  brought  near  the  surface,  deep  plowing  proves 
injurious.  But  where  soils  are  deep  and  fertile,  plowing 
may  be  occasionally  resorted  to  without  injury. 

The  principle  on  which  rotation  in  crops  is  founded,  dic- 
tates that  two  crops  of  peach  trees,  whether  in  the  nursery 
or  orchard,  should  riot  be  given  successively  on  the  same 
piece  of  ground ;  diminished  growth  in  all  such  instances 
being  the  result. 

One  of  the  best  manures  for  the  peach  tree  is  ashes,  whe- 
ther fresh  or  leached;  hence  all  composts  with  this  constitu- 
ent in  large  proportion,  are  eminently  beneficial  to  peach 
orchards.  When  applied  alone,  half  a  peck  of  fresh,  and 
half  a  bushel  of  leached  ashes  to  each  tree,  is  a  suitable 
quantity.  For  a  useful  mode  of  application,  see  remarks  on 
a  future  page  under  she  head  Peach-worm. 


THE    PEACH. 


281 


PRUNING. 

No  fruit  tree  needs  a  more  regular  and  constant  pruning 
than  the  peach,  and  none  more  frequently  meets  with  total 
neglect.  The  young  shoots,  to  live  and  flourish,  need  a 
very  full  exposure  to  sun  and  air.  But  young  peach  trees, 
if  left  to  grow  in  their  own  way,  become  covered  with  a 
dense  profusion  of  leaves.  These  shade  the  interior,  and  as 
a  necessary  consequence,  the  central  shoots  gradually  perish, 

and  leave  the  bare 
limbs.  As  the  tree  ad- 
vances in  growth,  these 
become  long,  naked 
branches,  with  tufts  of 
leaves  only  at  their  ex- 
treme ends,  fig.  229. 
These  extremeties  are 
loaded  with  an  overcrop 
of  fruit,  diminished  in 
flavor  by  crowding,  and 
often  breaking  the  tree 
under  their  lever -like 
weight.  Trees  wholly 
neglected  in  pruning, 

Fig.  229;  usually  become  by  this 

process,  of  little  value,  after  the  lapse  of  some  years. 

To  avoid  this  unfavorable  result,  the  shortening-in  mode  of 
pruning  has  been  very  successfully  adopted,  which  consists  in 
yearly  cutting  back  the  extremeties,  so  as  to  counteract  the 
spread  of  the  limbs,  and  to  lessen  the  weight  of  foliage. 

The  most  easy,  uniform,  and 
certain  rule  to  follow,  in  adopt- 
ing this  system  of  pruning,  is  to 
cut  off,  early  in  spring  or  in  win- 
ter, one-third  to  one-half  of  all 
the  shoots  of  the  previous  sum- 
mer's growth.  This  thins  the 
crop  of  fruit,  and  greatly  redu- 
ces the  amount  of  leaves  ;  and 
while  the  fruit  is  lessened  in 
number,  the  amount  is  not  di- 
Fia.  230.  minished,  and  the  flavor  is  im- 


282  THE    PEACH. 

measurably  improved.  If  this  pruning  is  regularly  and 
annually  performed,  the  head  of  the  tree  will  be  preserved 
in  an  even,  handsome,  and  compact  shape,  fig.  230,  and  in 
a  healthy  arid  vigorous  condition  ;  and  it  will  become  rarely 
necessary  to  shorten  and  thin  out  the  limbs  by  cutting  back 
the  larger  side-branches. 

The  pruning  may  be  performed  with  a  heda^e  or  long- 
handled  shears,  or  with  nearly  equal  convenience  by  means 
of  a  light  standing  ladder  and  a  common  pruning  knife. 

Any  cultivator  who  may  doubt  the  value  of  shortening-in 
the  peach,  need  only  to  try  the  experiment  for  a  few  suc- 
cessive years,  on  a  tree  standing  side  by  side  with  one  un- 
pruned,  to  become  fully  convinced  of  its  eminent  advan- 
tages.* 

Training  the  peach  against  walls  and  buildings,  so  essen- 
tial to  the  successful  culture  of  the  peach  in  England,  is 
rarely  practiced  in  this  country.  It  would  doubtless  hasten 
the  maturity  of  the  crop ;  but  the  warm  exposure,  would  at 
the  same  time,  unless  the  branches  were  purposely  protect- 
ed, render  the  crop  more  liable  to  destruction  by  frost.  Es- 
palier training  has  been  found  to  give  excellent  fruit,  in 
consequence  of  the  thorough  pruning  and  full  exposure 


Fig.  231— First  year.     Fig.  232— Second  year.     Fig.  233— Third  year. 

adopted  in  the  management  of  the  trees.  Figs.  231,  232, 
and  233,  exhibit  the  fan  training  usually  adopted  in  espalier 
and  wall  training,  in  its  sucessive  stages. 

To  induce  early  bearing,  shorten  back  one-third  or  one- 
half  the  new  shoots  about  midsummer,  or  a  little  sooner, 
which,  by  lessening  the  growth  of  the  leaves,  tends  to  the 
production  of  fruit  buds. 

*  Such  varieties  are  apt  to  overbear,  and  not  come  to  perfection  at  the  north,  as 
the  Heath  Cling,  are  thiuued  of  the  crop  iu  the  most  easy  and  perfect  manner  by 
cutting  back  the  shoots. 


THE  PEACH.  283 

DRYING  AND  PRESERVING. 

Drying  the  fruit  is  usually  performed  most  successfully 
by  artificial  heat.  Spent  ovens  on  a  small  scale, — and  dry- 
ing rooms,  heated  with  stoves,  fitted  with  shelves  or  draw- 
ers, with  lattice  or  lath  bottoms,  on  a  larger  scale, — are 
most  generally  adopted.  Drying  in  the  open  air,  is  suc- 
cessful if  the  weather  happens  to  be  favorable ;  but  decay 
and  loss  follows  adverse  weather.  But  the  expense  of  arti- 
ficial heat,  and  the  failure  from  an  unpropitious  sky,  may 
both  be  avoided  by  planting  for  this  purpose  the  earliest 
ripening  sorts,  so  that  the  whole  work  may  be  completed 
during  the  hot,  dry  weather  of  summer,  a  month  earlier 
than  the  usual  period. 

Preserving  the  Fresh  Fruit. — In  Baltimore,  and  some 
other  places,  the  preservation  of  the  more  delicate  fruits, 
as  peaches,  apricots,  and  strawberries,  in  hermetically 
sealed  tin  canisters,  is  carried  on  on  a  large  scale ;  and  the 
fruit  at  mid-winter  is  almost  as  good  as  when  gathered. 
The  process  is  the  same,  in  principle,  as  that  by  which 
fresh  meats  are  preserved  for  sea  stores.  For  the  substance 
of  the  following  account  of  the  process,  the  author  is  indebt- 
ed to  THOMAS  S.  PLEASANTS,  of  Petersburgh,  Va. 

The  canisters  should  be  perfectly  air-tight,  and  the  con- 
tents heated  throughout  to  the  temperature  of  boiling  water. 
If  the  vessels  are  then  hermetically  sealed,  it  is  impossible 
for  decomposition  to  take  place,  and  therefore  the  most  deli- 
cate fruits  may  be  preserved  for  an  indefinite  period. 

The  process  is  minutely  as  follows : — Prepare  the  canis- 
ters in  the  best  manner,  of  good  tin — about  seven  or  eight 
inches  in  length,  and  four  to  four  and  a  half  in  diameter. 
Whatever  be  the  size,  they  should  be  uniform,  that  they 
may  be  heated  alike.  The  fruit  selected  should  be  just 
ripe  and  no  more,  free  from  specks  or  bruises.  When  the 
canisters  are  filled,  the  tops  are  to  be  carefully  soldered  on, 
leaving  a  hole  in  them  about  the  size  of  a  small  pin  for  the 
escape  of  the  air.  They  are  then  to  be  set  in  a  vessel  of 
water,  to  be  kept  boiling  moderately,  until  the  temperature 
of  the  fruit  is  raised  to  that  of  the  water.  The  way  in 
which  this  is  ascertained,  is  to  put  a  drop  of  water  on  the 
pin-hole,  which  will  continue  to  bubble  as  long  as  the  air 
escapes  from  the  canister.  When  the  internal  temperature 


284  THE    PEACH. 

is  equal  to  that  of  the  water,  no  more  air  will  escape.  The 
water  is  then  to  be  wiped  off,  and  a  drop  of  solder  immedi- 
ately put  in  its  place.  The  boiling  water  should  be  raised 
as  near  to  the  tops  of  the  canisters  as  possible,  so  as  not  to 
cover  them.  If  the  operation  has  been  properly  conducted, 
the  ends  of  the  canisters  will,  after  the  cooling  has  taken 
place,  be  depressed,  in  consequence  of  the  external  pressure 
of  the  atmosphere.  The  degree  of  heat  to  which  the  fruit 
is  subjected  does  not  cook  it  in  the  least.  It  is  proper  that 
the  canisters  should  be  set  in  a  cool  place.  The  vessel  in 
which  the  water  is  to  be  kept  boiling,  must  of  course  have 
a  level  bottom ;  and  every  one  who  is  disposed  to  try  the 
experiment  can  devise  one  for  himself.  Doubtless  a  wooden 
reservoir,  heated  by  steam  through  a  pipe  from  a  .boiler, 
would  be  convenient  where  the  experiment  is  performed  on 
a  large  scale. 

INSECTS    AND    DISEASES. 

Peach  trees  are  liable  to  injury  and  destruction  from  two 
causes,  the  worm  or  borer,  and  the  yellows. 

The  Peach-ivorm  or  borer,  (^Egeria  exitiosa,}  cuts  into  the 
bark  (never  into  the  wood,)  just  below  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  and  if  badly  or  wholly  girdled,  the  tree  languishes 
or  dies.  Its  presence  is  indicated  by  the  exudation  of  gum 
at  the  root,  mixed  with  excrementitious  matter  resembling 
saw  dust.  It  is  very  easily  destroyed  by  scraping  away  the 
earth  at  the  foot  of  the  trunk,  and  following  the  worm  to 
the  end  of  its  hole  with  a  knife,  beneath  the  thin  shell  of 
bark  under  cover  of  which  it  extends  its  depredations.  If 
an  orchard  is  thus  examined  once  in  spring  and  once  in 
early  summer,  few  will  escape.  But  to  exclude  the  insect, 
as  a  means  of  prevention,  heap  round  each  tree  half  a  peck 
of  air-slaked  lime  or  ashes,  in  spring,  allowing  it  to  remain 
till  autumn,  when,  spread  beneath  the  tree,  it  forms  a  good 
manure.  This  remedy,  in  many  cases,  has  proved  quite 
effectual.  It  will  in  all  cases  lessen  the  labor  of  examina- 
tion with  the  knife. 

""  The  perfect  insect  of  the  peach  worm,  fig.  234,  &,  is  a 
four-winged  moth,  much  resembling  in  form  a  wasp,  but 
totally  distinct,  and  in  its  character  and  habits  closely  allied 
to  the  butterfly  and  miller.  It  deposits  from  early  in  sum- 


THE    FEACH. 


285 


mer 


autumn,    at  the   foot  of  the  tree,   its  exceedingly 

minute,  whitish  eggs, 
which  soon  hatch,  and 
the  larvae  or  worms  en- 
•ter  the  bark.  The  next 
season  they  encase  them" 
selves  in  a  saw-dust-like 
cocoon,  in  their  holes 
under  the  bark;  and 
F'is- 234-  emerging  in  the  perfect 

insect,  lay  their  eggs  and  perish.  The  perfect  insect  is  very 
rarely  seen,  but  is  easily  obtained  by  enclosing  the  pupa, 
fig.  234,  b,  c,  which  is  readily  obtained  in  summer  at  the 
roots  of  neglected  trees,  beneath  a  glass,  or  in  a  gauze  case. 
As  this  insect  confines  itself  to  the  bark,  its  destruction  is 
very  easy.  It  rarely  happens  that  trees  are  completely  de- 
stroyed by  it,  except  they  be  small;  death  can  only  take 
place  when  the  tree  is  girdled.  Timely  care  will  prevent 
this  ;  the  evil  in  fact  is  only  to  be  dreaded  by  negligent 
cultivators. 

The  disease  termed  the  yellows  is  truly  formidable.  It  is 
peculiar  to  the  peach  and  nectarine.  It  has  destroyed  whole 
orchards  in  portions  of  the  country,  and  for  a  time  induced 
the  entire  abandonment  of  the  peach  culture  in  certain  lo- 
calities. 

The  cause  of  this  malady  has  not  been  satisfactorily  as- 
certained. According  to  conjecture,  it  has  arisen  originally 
from  exhaustion  by  deteriorated  soil,  overbearing,  and  neg- 
lected pruning  and  bad  cultivation.  But  whatever  may  have 
been  its  origin,  it  appears  at  present  to  be  chiefly  commu- 
nicated from  diseased  trees.  It  is  quickly  induced  by  in- 
serting the  bud  from  an  affected  tree  into  a  healthy  stock. 
It  spreads  by  contact  with  diseased  roots  ;  a  knife  used  in 
pruning  the  tree  will  infuse  the  poison  if  used  on  another. 
It  appears  to  be  communicated  without  actual  contact,  the 
healthy  branches  nearest  a  diseased  tree  being  usually  first 
attacked.  It  is  also  probable  that  the  stones  from  diseased 
trees  cause  its  development  after  a  few  years  growth.  Its 
highly  contagious  nature  is  indicated  by  the  equal  facility 
with  which  young  and  vigorous  trees  and  old  and  feeble 
ones  may  be  inoculated  by  contact* 


286  THE    PEACH. 

Its  infallible  indications,  are,  first,  a  premature  ripening 
of  the,  fruit,  som:  weeks  earlier  than  usual — accompanied 
with  a  rather  insipid  flavor,  and  with  purple  dzscolora- 
tions  of  the  flesh.  These  usually  occur  the  first  season,  and 
on  a  part  of  the  tree  which  h,;s  been  first  inoculated  with 
the  poison.  The  following  season,  numerous  smaU,  wiry 
shoots  are  frequently  thrown  up  from  the  larger  branches, 
the  leaves  become  yellow,  the  whole  tree  assumes  a  sickly 
appearance,  and  eventually  perishes.  No  case  is  known 
where  a  decidedly  developed  case  of  this  disease  has  ever 
been  cured.  When  once  attacked,  to  prevent  a  spread  of 
the  disease,  the  tree  should  be  immediately  removed  and 
burned.  No  young  trees  should  be  planted  on  the  same 
spot,  as  the  diseased  roots  still  remain.  Atones  for  seed- 
lings should  be  procured  from  districts  of  the  country  where 
it  has  not  been  introduced. 

Peach  trees,  presenting  a  sickly  appearance,  have  been 
revived  by  the  application  of  iron  to  the  roots,  in  the  form 
of  filings  or  turnings,  or  in  the  solution  of  the  sulphate  of 
iron  or  copperas ;  but  these  instances  of  decline  do  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been  the  contagious  malady  known  as  the  yel- 
lows. 

A.  J.  Downing,  whoso  opinion  is  worthy  of  much  atten- 
tion, and  who  believes  that  the  yellows  is  induced  by  ex- 
haustion and  neglected  pruning,  strongly  relies  on  the  effi- 
cacy of  shortening-in,  as  a  means  of  prevention,  in  connex- 
ion with  the  means  already  pointed  out,  and  a  thorough 
renovation  of  the  soil  by  alkaline  applications. 

Mildew.  The  growth  of  peach  trees  is  often  retarded  by 
mildew.  It  seizes  the  tender  points  of  the  shoots  and  young 
leaves,  and  sometimes  wholly  stops  their  growth.  It  is  con- 
fined to  glandless,  cut-leaved  varieties  only ;  such  as  the 
Early  White  Nutmeg,  the  Early  Anne,  and  some  of  the 
earliest  varieties  of  the  red  rareripe.  Yellow-fleshed  peaches 
rarely  or  never  suffer  from  it.  It  is  not  often  a  formidable 
evil,  although  it  seriously  lessens  the  thrifty  and  handsome 
appearance  of  some  varieties  while  growing  in  the  nursery. 
It  is  a  minute  fungus,  and  may  be  destroyed  or  lessened 
without  injury  to  the  tree,  by  syringing  with  soap-suds  on  its 
first  appearance.  A  mixture  of  lime-water  with  the  soap- 
suds is  preferred  by  some  cultivators,  and  a  subsequent  dust- 
ing with  sulphur  has  been  recommended. 


THE    PEACH.  287 

VARIETIES. 

While  the  pear  and  apple  are  chiefly  affected  by  the  in- 
fluence of  soil,  the  variations  in  the  quality  of  the  peach 
result  mostly  from  the  effects  of  climate.  Fine  American 
varieties  are  pronounced  worthless  in  England.  In  this 
country,  some,  often  delicious,  are  of  little  value  in  unfavor- 
able seasons.  Some  which  succeed  finely  as  far  south  as 
Philadelphia,  lose  much  by  removal  to  western  New-York, 
from  the  slightly  diminished  warmth  of  the  summers. 

A  large  number  of  seedlings  of  high  quality  have  been 
produced  in  this  country,  but  as  they  vary  but  slightly  and 
do  not  excel  other  named  and  known  sorts,  it  becomes  de- 
sirable not  to  extend  the  present  list,  unless  by  those  deci- 
dedly superior  to  existing  first-rate  varieties.  The  simi- 
larity in  quality,  and  the  comparative  shortness  of  the  fruit 
season,  render  a  small  selection  sufficient  for  ordinary  col- 
lections. Hence,  the  main  object  of  the  following  descrip- 
tive list  is  to  define  the  characters  of  described  or  well- 
known  sorts,  and  point  out  those  most  worthy  of  cultivation 
in  our  climate. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  ARRANGEMENT. 

The  fruit  of  different  varieties  of  the  peach  is  marked 
with  but  few  distinctive  characters.  A  similarity  in  outline, 
texture,  color  and  flavor,  more  nearly  than  exists  in  the  ap- 
ple, pear,  and  some  other  kinds,  renders  it  necessary  to  resort 
to  other  points  of  distinction.  The  peach  presents  facilities 
for  this  purpose,  not  existing  in  other  fruits. 

1.  The  Divisions  are  founded  on  the  adherence  or  sepa- 
ration of  the  flesh  from  the  stone,  distinguishing  clingstones 
and  free-stones ;  or  more  properly,  on  the  firm,  or  melting 
texture   of  the   flesh,    indicated    by  the  terms  pavies  and 
melters. 

2.  The  Divisions  are  sub-divided  into  Classes,  embracing 
pale,  or  light-colored  flesh,  and  deep-ydlow  flesh. 

13 


288 


THE    PEACH 


3.  The  Sections  are  founded  on  the  glands  of  the  leaves. 
Section  I,  comprehends  those  whose  leaves  are  deeply  and 
sharply  serrate,  Cor  cut  like  saw-teeth,)  and  having  no 

glands  (or  gum-like  mi- 
nute knobs)  at  the  base, 
fig.  235.  Section  II, 
contains  those  whose 
leaves  are  crenate  or 
serrulate,  (with  shallow- 
er and  more  rounded 
teeth,)  and  having  glo- 
bose glands,  fig.  236. 
Section  III,  includes  all 
those  whose  leaves  are 
crenate  or  serrulate, 
Fig.  236.  Fig.  237.  having  reniform  (or  kid- 
ney-shaped) glands,  fig.  237.  "  The  form  of  the  glands," 
observes  Lindley,  "  as  well  as  their  position  is  perfectly  dis- 
tinct ;  they  are  fully  developed  in  the  month  of  May,  and 
they  continue  to  the  last  permanent  in  their  character,  and 
are  not  affected  by  cultivation.  The  globose  glands  are 
situated,  one,  two,  or  more,  on  the  foot  stalks,  and  one,  two, 
or  more,  on  the  tips  or  points  of  the  serratures  of  the  leaves. 
The  reniform  glands  grow  also  on  the  footstalks  of  the 
leaves,  but  those  on  the  leaves  are  placed  within  the  serra- 
tures, connecting,  as  it  were,  the  upper  and  lower  teeth  of 
the  serratures  together ;  their  leaves,  when  taken  from  a 
branch  of  a  vigorous  growth,  have  more  glands  than  the 
leaves  of  the  globose  varieties.  It  will,  however,  sometimes 
happen  that  glands  are  not  discernible  on  some  of  the 
leaves,  especially  on  those  produced  on  weak  branches ;  in 

this  case,  other  branches 
must  be  sought  for  which 
do  produce  them." 

4.  The  sections    thus 
formed  are  each  divided 
into  two  sub-sections  ;  the 
first     embracing     those 
Fig.  238.  Fig.  239.        which  have  large  flow- 

ers, as  in  fig.  238;  and  the  second  including  such  as  bear 
email  flowers,  fig.  239.     The  sub-sections  are  in  most  cases 


THE    PEACH.  289 

distinctly  marked ;  but  a  few  doubtful  intermediate  flowers 
may  immediately  be  referred  to  the  one  or  the  other  by 
the  color  of  the  petals,  the  smaller  being  reddish  or  pink, 
and  the  larger  nearly  white,  or  with  light  margins. 


DIVISION  I.    FREESTONES  OR  MELTERS. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH,  PALE  os  LIGHT  COLORED. 

Section  I.     Leaves  serrated,  without  glands. 

Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

Double  Mountain.  (Syn.  Double  Montagne.)  Medium  in 
size  ;  roundish,  narrow  at  apex ;  surface  pale  greenish 
white,  with  a  slight  soft  red  cheek,  marbled  darker  ;  flesh 
white  to  the  stone,  delicate ;  stone  ovate  and  rugged. 
Ripens  at  the  end  of  summer.  French. 

Early  Anne.  (Syn.  Green  Nutmeg.)  Rather  small,  round ; 
surface  greenish  white,  becoming  nearly  white,  some- 
times faintly  tinged  with  red  to  the  sun;  flesh  white  to 
the  stone,  sweet,  pleasant,  with  a  faint  mingling  of  a 
vinous  flavor.  Stone  light  colored,  small,  uncommonly 
smooth.  Shoots  with  a  light-green  cast.  Very  early. 
Tne  tree  at  the  north  is  very  tender,  and  the  young  shoots 
are  often  winter-killed,  which,  with  its  slow  growth  and 
deficient  productiveness,  render  it  unprofitable  for  gene- 
ral cultivation.  Flowers  white.  English,  old. 

MAGDALEN  OF  COURSON.  (Syn.  Madeleine  de  Courson,  Red 
Magdalen,  True  Red  Magdalen,  French  Magdalen,  Made- 
leine Rouge.J  Medium  size,  or  rather  small,  round, 
slightly  oblate,  suture  deep  on  one  side  ;  surface  nearly 
white,  with  a  lively  red  cheek ;  flesh  white,  slightly  red 
at  the  stone  ;  juicy,  rich,  vinous.  Rather  early,  or  last 
iwo  weeks  of  summer.  French,  old.  The  genuine  sort 
is  little  known  in  this  country. 


290 


THE    PEACH. 


MALTA.  (Syn.  Italian.)  Rather  large,  roundish,  slightly 
flattened,  suture  broad,  shallow,  surface  pale  dull  green, 
blotched  and  spotted  with  dull  purple  next  the  sun;  flesh 
greenish,  slightly  red  at  the  stone,  very  juicy,  melting, 
rich,  with  an  excellent  sub-acid,  vinous  flavor.  Ripens  end 
of  summer.  A  moderate  bearer.  Shoots  slightly  liable  to 
mildew.  A  spurious  sort  with  globose  glands,  and  of  infe- 
rior quality,  has  been  generally  desseminated  in  this 
country. 

NOBLESSE.  (Syn.  Vanguard,  Mellish's  Favorite.)  Large, 
round-oblong  or  oval,  slightly  narrower  at  apex,  and  ter- 
minated by  a  short  acute  point;  skin  pale  green,  clouded 
and  shaded  with  light  dull  red  to  the  sun;  flesh  pale 
greenish  white  to  stone,  very  juicy,  with  a  very  rich  high 
flavor.  Tree  of  rather  slow  growth  and  liable  to  mildew, 
the  only  drawback  on  the  value  of  this  excellent  peach. 
Ripens  end  of  summer  and  the  beginning  of  autumn. 
English. 

SERRATE  EARLY  YORK.*  (Syn.  True  Early  York,  Early 
York  of  Downing,  Early  Purple  erroneously.  Size  medium, 

roundish- oval,  suture 
slight ;  dotted  with  red 
on  greenish-white  in 
the  shade,  dark  red  to 
the  sun  ;  flesh  very  ten- 
der and  full  of  juice, 
rich,  with  a  faint  ming- 
ling of  acid.  Quite 
early,  or  middle  of  8 
mo.,  (Aug.)  Growth 
rather  free  for  a  ser- 
rate-leaved peach. — 
Very  productive,  and 
from  its  earliness,  of 
great  value.  Differs 

Fig.  240.  from  the  Large  Early 

York  by  its  large  flowers,  cut-leaves,  oval  fruit,  and  earlier 
maturity. 

*  This  name  has  been  objected  to  as  consisting  of  more  than  two  words,  but  it  is 
much  shorter  than  Crawford's  Early  Melocoton  and  White  Blossomed  Incomparable, 
so  commonly  adopted.  It  is  even  as  short  as  the  single  term  Incomparable. 


THE    PEACH.  291 

Sweetwater.  (Syn.  Early  Sweetwater.)  Size  medium, 
roundish,  light  green  at  maturity,  flesh  tender,  melting, 
rich,  and  juicy.  It  is  a  seedling  from  the  Early  Anne, 
which  it  much  resembles  in  growth  and  general  charac- 
ter, but  is  more  than  twice  its  size,  superior  in  flavor,  and 
ripens  nearly  a  week  later.  A  moderate  bearer.  Like 
the  Early  Anne  it  is  too  tender  for  the  north,  and  does  not 
ripen  before  the  Tillotson  and  Serrate  Early  York. 

The  Sweetwater  of  Downing'has  globose  glands  and  large 
flowers,  with  a  roundish,  middle-sized,  greenish-white 
fruit ;  the  tree  is  more  hardy  than  the  preceding,  but  the 
fruit  ripens  later,  and  is  inferior  in  quality. 

White  Nutmeg.  (Syn.  Early  White  Nutmeg,  Avant 
Blanche,  White  Avant.)  Very  small,  roundish  oval,  with 
a  deep  suture  on  one  side  ;  skin  nearly  white,  rarely 
touched  with  faint  red ;  flesh  white  to  the  stone,  with  a 
mild,  pleasant  flavor.  Ripens  about  mid-summer,  or  im- 
mediately after  wheat  harvest,  and  is  the  earliest  and 
smallest  peach  cultivated.  Its  very  slow  growth,  tender 
shoots,  and  light  crops,  render  it  of  little  value. 

Sub-section  II.     Flowers  small. 

Belle  de  Vitry.  (Syn.  Admirable  Tardive.)  Size  medium, 
approaching  oblate  ;  apex  depressed,  suture  deep ;  skin 
nearly  white,  tinged  and  mrrbled  with  bright  and  dull 
red;  flesh  rathei  firm,  red  at  the  stone,  juicy  and  rich. 
Quite  late,  or  last  of  9  mo.  (Sept.)  This  is  quite  distinct 
from  the  Late  Admirable,  which  ripens  two  »  eeks  earlier; 
and  from  the  Early  Admirable,  often  known  by  the  name 
of  Belle  de  Vitry,  and  which  ripens  six  weeks  earlier. 
Both  of  the  latter  have  crenate  leaves  with  globose  glands. 

EARLY  T.LLOTSON.  Size  medium;  round  or  nearly  globu- 
lar ;  thickly  dotted  with  red  on  a  nearly  white  ground  in 
the  shade,  dark  deep  red  in  the  sun ;  flesh  whhish,  red 
at  the  stone,  to  which  the  flesh  partially  adheres, — juicy, 
rich,  high-flavored,  more  of  a  nutmeg  and  less  of  a  vinous 
flavor  than  the  Serrrate  Early  York,  and  ripening  about 
the  sa:ne  time  or  a  few  days  earlier,  or  the  early  part 
and  middle  of  8  mo.  (Aug.)  Its  time  of  maturity  is  often 
somewhat  variable,  even  on  the  same  tree.  The  young 


292  THE    PEACH. 

trees  are  of  slow  growth,  and  the  leaves  liable  to  mildew, 
from  both  of  which  it  gradually  recovers  as  the  tree  ad- 
vances in  size.  Origin,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y. 

Emperor  of  Russia.  (Syn.  Cut-leaved,  Serrated,  Unique.) 
Fruit  large,  approaching  oblate  ;  one  half,  more  swollen; 
surface  rather  downy,  dull  yellowish  white,  with  a  dark 
red  cheek ;  flesh  yellowish  white,  rather  firm,  rich,  high- 
flavored.  End  of.  summer.  Although  the  flavor  is  first- 
rate,  it  is  a  poor  grower  and  a  poor  bearer.  Origin, 
New- York. 

Royal  George.  ((Syn.  Early  Royal  George.)  Rather  large, 
globular,  broad  and  depressed,  or  inclining  to  oblate  ;  su- 
ture deep  at  apex,  passing  two-thirds  round  the  fruit ;  skin 
nearly  white,  thickly  dotted  with  red,  with  a  broad,  deep, 
rich  red,  slightly  marbled  cheek  ;  flesh  whitish,  very  red 
at  the  stone,  juicy  and  rich.  Ripens  a  week  or  two  be- 
fore the  end  of  summer.  A  moderate  bearer.  Shoots 
liable  to  mildew. 

RED  RARERIPE.  (Syn.  Early  Red  Rareripe,  Large  Red.) 
Rather  large,  globular,  broad  and  depressed  ;  suture  broad 
and  deep,  passing  nearly  round  the  fruit ;  skin  nearly 
white,  with  red  dots  in  the  shade,  and  a  rich  dark  red 
cheek  in  the  sun ;  flesh,  whitish  red  at  the  stone,  juicy, 
rich,  and  high-flavored.  Ripens  during  the  last  two  weeks 
of  summer.  Resembles  the  Royal  George,  but  superior 
in  quality.  Both  are  subject  to  mildew  of  the  leaves. 

Royal  Charlotte.  Rather  large ;  approaching  ovate ;  base 
slightly  wider  than  apex ;  suture  moderate ;  skin  pale 
greenish-white,  with  a  deep  red  marbled  cheek ;  flesh 
white,  pale  red  at  the  stone;  juicy,  rich,  fine.  First  of 
autumn. 

SECTION  II.     LEAVES  CRENATE,  WITH  GLOBOSE  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

Acton  Scott.  Size  medium  ;  rather  narrow  and  depressed 
at  apex,  suture  shallow ;  skin  rather  wooly,  nearly  white, 
with  a  marbled,  bright-red  cheek ;  flesh  pale  to  the  stone, 
with  a  rich,  sometimes  slightly  bitter  flavor.  Early, — mid 


THE    PEACH.  293 

die  of  8  mo.,  August.    English  ;  a  cross  between  Noblesse 
and  Red  Nutmeg.     Rare  in  this  country. 

Astoi:  Large,  slightly  oblate,  apex  slightly  depressed,  su- 
ture distinct ;  surface  nearly  white,  with  a  deep  red  cheek ; 
stone  small;  flesh  very  juicy,  sweet,  good  second-rate. 
Ripens  end  of  summer.  Origin,  New- York. 

BARRINGTON.  Large,  roundish-ovate,  apex  rather  pointed ; 
suture  on  one  side,  moderate ;  skin  nearly  white,  with  a 
deep-red,  marbled  cheek ;  flesh  slightly  red  at  the  stone, 
juicy,  rich,  and  of  high  quality.  Ripens  early  in  autumn. 
Does  not  attain  its  full  flavor  north  of  New- York  city. 
English. 

Clinton.  Size  medium,  roundish,  apex  slightly  depressed, 
suture  nearly  obsolete;  surface  nearly  white,  with  a 
somewhat  striped  red  cheek  ;  flesh  juicy,  faintly  red  at  the 
stone,  of  second-rate  flavor.  End  of  summer.  American. 

EARLY  ADMIRABLE.  (Syn:  Admirable ;  Belle  de  Vitry,  er- 
roneously.) Size  medium ;  nearly  round ;  skin  nearly 
white,  with  a  red  cheek;  flesh  red  at  the  stone,  juicy, 
rich,  sweet,  fine.  Quite  early,  ripening  immediately  after 
Serrate  Early  York.  French. 

GROSSE  MIGNONNE.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate  ; 
apex  depressed,  with  a  deep  suture ;  skin  tinged  with 
greenish  yellow,  mottled  with  red,  and  with  a  purplish 
red  cheek ;  flesh  reddened  at  the  stone,  juicy,  with  a  very 
rich,  high,  and  somewhat  vinous  flavor ;  stone  small,  very 
rough.  Early, — the  last  two  weeks  of  summer.  Of 
French  origin.  The  peach  usually  cultivated  in  this  coun- 
try under  this  name,  although  a^  excellent  variety,  is  not 
the  genuine  Grosse  Mignonne,  but  differs  in  its  small 
flowers. 

Sub-section  If.     Flowers  small. 

BELLEGARDE.  (Syn.  Galande,  Smooth-leaved  Royal  George, 
Violette  Hative  of  some,  Red  Magdalen  erroneously.']  Size 
medium  or  large,  round,  regular  ;  suture  shallow,  deepest 
at  apex,  with  a  slight  projecting  point ;  skin  nearly  white, 


294  THE    PEACH. 

with  a  faint  tinge  of  green,  and  a  rich  red  cheek,  often 
streaked  darker ;  flesh  slightly  red  at  the  stone,  a  little 
firm,  melting,  juicy,  rich,  and  of  fine  flavor.  Stone  rather 
large.  End  of  summer.  French. 

COLE'S  EARLY  RED.  Size  medium,  roundish,  suture  small; 
skin  mostly  mottled  with  red,  with  dark  red  on  the  sunny 
side  ;  flesh  juicy,  rich,  with  a  pleasant  and  fine  flavor, 
hardly  first-rate  in  quality.  Valuable  for  its  great  pro- 
ductiveness and  early  maturity,  ripening  nearly  as  early 
as  the  Serrate  Early  York.  American. 

COOLEDGE'S  FAVORITE.  Rather  large  or  medium;  roundish, 
rather  largest  on  one  side;  suture  distinct  at  apex;  skin 
nearly  clear  white,  mottled  with  red  dots  in  the  shade, 
and  with  a  brilliant  deep  scarlet  cheek  in  the  sun  ;  flesh 
very  melting  and  juicy,  with  a  rich,  faintly  acid  flavor. 
Ripens  about  the  middle  of  8  mo.,  Aug.  Origin,  Wa- 
tertown,  Mass. 

DRUID  HILL.  Very  large,  roundish,  cavity  rather  narrow ; 
suture  slight,  with  a  distinct  but  scarcely  prominent  point 
at  apex;  surface  pale  greenish  white,  clouded  with  red 
towards  the  sun ;  flesh  greenish  white,  purple  at  the 
stone,  very  juicy,  with  a  very  rich,  high  vinous  flavor; 
stone  long  and  rather  compressed,  much  furrowed.  Ri- 
pens quite  late,  or  latter  part  of  9  mo.,  Sept.  Growth 
unusually  vigorous.  Origin,  Baltimore. 

Favorite.  Large,  oblong,  or  oval ;  skin  rather  downy,  much 
covered  with  red,  very  dark  towards  the  sun;  flesh  red 
at  the  stone,  a  little  firm,  jnicy,  with  a  good,  vinous,  but 
not  rich  flavor.  Hardy  and  very  productive.  Ripens  me- 
dium or  rather  late,  or  about  the  second  week  of  au- 
tumn. Glands  of  the  leaves  very  small,  obscure,  or  none. 
American. 

Fox's  Seedling.  Round,  slightly  compressed,  cavity  nar- 
row ;  white  with  a  red  cheek  ;  juicy,  sweet,  good. "  Sea- 
son, medium  or  rather  late.  New-Jersey. 

GEORGE  THE  FOURTH.  Large,  round,  suture  deep  and 
broad,  one  half  slightly  larger;  skin  nearly  white  in  the 
shade,  dotted  red,  with  a  deep  red  cheek,  flesh  slightly 


THE    PEACH.  295 

red  at  the  stone,  melting,  juicy,  rich,  excellent.  Ripens 
at  the  end  of  summer.  Branches  rather  more  diverging 
than  usual ;  leaves. pale  green,  often  glandless.  Crops 
moderate,  one  cause  of  its  excellence.  Origin,  New- 
York. 

Green  Catharine.  Large,  round,  pale  groen,  with  a  red 
cheek,  flesh  bright  red  at  the  stone,  tender,  juicy,  rather 
acid.  Season,  rather  late,  does  not  ripen  richly  as  far 
north  as  the  43d  degree  of  latitude. 

LARGE  EARLY  YORK.  (Syn.  Early  York  of  New- 
Jersey,  Honest  John.)  Large,  roundish,  inclining  to  ob- 
late in  fully  grown  specimens,  nearly  white  in  the  shade, 
with  red  dots,  and  with  a  deep  red  cheek  to  the  sun ; 
flesh  nearly  white,  fine-grained,  very  juicy,  with  mild, 
rich,  excellent  flavor. 

The  NEW-YORK  RARERIPE,  (a  name  which  has  been 
more  or  less  applied  to  nearly  all  the  early  red  peaches 
sent  to  New- York  market,}  or  Livingston's  New- York 
Rareripe,  is  usually  regarded  as  identical  with  the  large 
Early  York,  but  T.  Hancock,  of  Burlington,  considers 
them  distinct, — the  New-York  Rareripe  being  rather  su- 
perior, and  ripening  three  days  later.  Haines'  Early 
Red  closely  resembles,  if  it  is  not  identical  with  Large 
Early  York. 

LATE  ADMIRABLE.  (Syn.  La  Royale,  Bourdine,  Teton  de 
Venus,  Judd's  Melting,  Motteuxs  Late  Purple  incorrectly.) 
Quite  large,  roundish,  inclining  to  oval,  with  a  deep  su- 
ture extending  nearly  round,  and  an  acute  swollen  point 
at  the  apex;  surface  pale  yellowish-green,  with  a  pale  red 
cheek,  marbled  -with  darker  red;  flesh  greenish  white, 
red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  delicate,  flavor  excellent.  Season 
rather  late.  Of  French  origin. 

LATE  RED  RARERIPE.  Large,  roundish-oval,  apex  marked 
with  a  depressed  suture  and  sunken  point ;  skin  rather 
downy,  pale  greyish  yellow,  spotted  and  thickly  marbled, 
deep  dull  red  to  the  sun,  and  with  fawn-colored  specks ; 
flesh  white,  deep  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  with  a  very  rich 
and  high  flavor.  The  fruit  is  distinguished  by  its  pe- 

13* 


296  THE    PEACH. 

culiar  greyish  cast.     Season,  the  first  two  weeks  of  au- 
tumn.    American 

Morris*  Red  Rareripe.  Large,  roundish,  apex  slightly  de- 
pressed, suture  moderate,  distinct ;  surface  greenish-white, 
with  a  bright  rich  red  cheeck;  flesh  greenish-white,  quite 
red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  sweet,  rich.  Season,  end  of  sum- 
mer. Origin,  Philadelphia.  Differs  from  George  IV.,  in 
its  darker  leaves,  heavier  crops,  more  even  fruit,  inferior 
flavor,  and  in  ripening  a  few  days  later. 

Morrissania  Pound.  (Syn.  Hoffman's  Pound.)  Very  large, 
nearly  round  ;  surface  dull  greenish-white,  with  a  brown- 
ish red  cheek;  flesh  pale  yellowish,  juicy,  tolerably  rich. 
Late.  Origin,  New- York. 

NIVETTE.  Large,  roundish,  sometimes  slightly  oval,  suture 
slight,  apex  but  little  depressed  ;  surface  light  yellowish- 
green,  with  a  faint  red  cheek ;  flesh  pale  green,  varying 
from  pink  to  deep  red  at  the  stone,  juicy  and  melting, 
and  with  a  very  rich  flavor.  Season  medium,  immedi- 
ately preceding  or  ripening  nearly  with  Morris  Whi:e, 
and  one  of  the  best  of  its  season  for  the  north.  Of  French 
origin. 

OLDMIXON  FREESTONE.  Large,  roundish,  slightly 
oval,  one  side  swollen,  suture  visible  only  at  apex ;  cavity 
shallow;  surface  a  pale  yellowish  white,  marbled  with 
red,  with  a  deep  red  cheek  when  fully  exposed ;  flesh 
deep  red  at  the  stone,  tender,  rich,  excellent.  Season 
medium,  or  the  first  of  autumn.  Succeeds  well  in  all 
localities,  and  has  few  equals  as  a  variety  for  the  north, 
to  succeed  the  early  peaches. 

President.  Large,  roundish-oval,  with  little  suture ;  sk:n 
very  downy,  yellowish-white,  with  a  tinge  of  green,  and 
a  dull  red  cheek  ;  flesh  nearly  white,  deep  red  at  the 
stone,  very  juicy,  and  with  a  high  flavor;  stone  rough,  to 
which  the  flesh  partially  adheres.  Ripens  a  little  later 
than  Morris  White,  or  middle  of  9  mo.,  (Sept.) 

Scott's  Early  Red.  Medium  size,  roundish,  suture  distinct, 
moderate ;  skin  nearly  white,  mottled  and  covered  with 


THE    PEACH.  297 

red ;  flesh  very  juicy,  with  a  rich,  fine  flavor.     Rather 
early,  or  end  of  summer.     New  Jersey. 

VAN  ZANDT'S  SUPERB.  Size  medium,  roundish,  one  half 
larger,  suture  slight ;  skin  nearly  white,  with  a  beautifully 
dotted  red  cheek ;  flesh  whitish,  tinted  with  red  at  the 
stone,  juicy,  sweet,  of  fine  pleasant  flavor.  First  of  au- 
tumn. Origin,  Flushing,  Lting  Island. 

WALTER'S  EARLY.  Rather  large,  roundish ;  surface  nearly 
white,  with  a  rich  red  cheek ;  flesh  whitish,  touched  with 
red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  sweet,  of  fine  flavor.  Ripens  the 
last  week  of  summer.  A  native  of  New-Jersey,  and  is  a 
valuable  peach  at  the  north. 

m 

WARD'S  LATE  FREE.  Large,  not  quite  of  the  largest  size, 
roundish,  surface  dull  yellowish  white,  with  a  red  cheek, 
nearly  the  color  of  the  Oldmixon  Free,  but  not  so  clear 
nor  bright ;  flesh  nearly  white,  of  excellent  flavor.  One 
of  the  finest  late  peaches  of  the  middle  states.  The  Rey- 
bolds,  of  Delaware,  the  most  extensive  peach  raisers  in 
the  United  States,  having  reduced  their  list  to  about  fif- 
-  teen  sorts,  have  retained  this  as  one  of  the  best  late 
varieties.  ><  r 

Washington.  (Syn.  Washington  Red  Freestone.)  Large, 
somewhat  oblate,  with  a  broad  deep  suture  passing  nearly 
round ;  skin  thin,  yellowish-white,  with  a  deep  crimson 
cheek;  flesh  nearly  white,  tender,  juicy,  sweet,  rich. 
Stone  small,  to  which  the  flesh  slightly  adheres.  Rather 
late.  Origin,  New-York. 

WHITE  IMPERIAL.  Rather  large,  roundish,  often  slightly 
oblate,  depressed  at  apex  ;  suture  moderate  ;  surface  pale 
yellowish  white,  often  with  a  faint  tinge  of  green;  slight- 
ly tinged  and  sometimes  striped  with  light  purple  to  the. 
sun;  flesh  very  juicy,  delicate,  sweet,  excellent.  A  uni- 
form moderate  bearer,  and  a  valuable  peach  at  the  north, 
but  worthless  in  Virginia.  Ripens  rather  early,  or  latter 
part  of  summer.  Origin,  Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y. 


298  THE    PEACH. 

SECTION  III.     LEAVES  WITH  RENIFORM  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

EARLY  PURPLE.  (Syn.  Pourpree  Hative,  Pourpree  Hative 
a  Grand  Fleurs.)  Size  medium,  globular,  depressed,  a 
deep  suture  across  the  apex ;  skin  light  yellow,  with  a 
mottled  purplish  red  cheek ;  flesh  red  at  the  stone,  melt- 
ing, juicy,  with  a  high  flavor;  stone  broad  and  rough; 
season  early,  or  middle  or  latter  pait  of  8  mo.,  (Aug.) 
Rare  in  this  country.  The  Serrate  Early  York  has  been 
propagated  under  this  name  in  portions  of  this  country,  and 
the  Grosse  Mignonne  in  Europe  ;  from  both  of  which  it 
differs  in  the  glands  of  its  leaves. 

White  Blossomed  Incomparable.  (Syn.  White  Blossom, 
Willow  Peach.)  Large,  oval ;  skin  wholly  white  ;  flesh 
white  to  the  stone,  juicy,  pleasant,  of  tolerable  flavor. 
Ripens  first  'of  autumn.  Flowers  white,  leaves  light 
green,  shoots  pale  yellow.  American. 

Sub-section  II.     Flowers  small. 

BREVOORT.  (Syn.  Brevoort's  Morris,  Brevoort's  Seed- 
ling Melter.)  Medium  or  large,  round  and  slightly  ob- 
late, suture  distinct,  deep  at  apex ;  skin  nearly  white  or 
with  a  faint  dingy  hue,  with  a  bright  red  cheek  ;  flesh 
rather  firm,  slightly  red  at  stone,  rich,  sweet,  and  high- 
flavored.  First  of  autumn.  Moderately  and  uniformly 
productive.  Origin,  New-York. 

Chancellor.  (Syn.  Late  Chancellor,  Noisette.)  Large, 
oval,  suture  distinct ;  skin  nearly  white,  with  a  dark 
crimson  cheek;  flesh  deep  red  at  the  stone,  with  a  rich 
vinous  flavor ;  stone  oblong.  Late.  Of  French  origin. 

EARLY  NEW;NGTON  FREESTONE.  Size  medium  :  roundish, 
one  half  always  larger,  suture  distinct ;  surface  nearly 
white,  dotted  and  streaked  with  red,  the  cheek  a  rich  red  ; 
flesh  white,  red  at  the  stone,  at  first  wholly  adhering,  but 
as  it  ripens,  partially  separating  from  it;  juicy,  rich,  fine. 
A  valuable  early  variety,  ripening  immediately  after  the 
Serrate  Early  York. 


THE    PEACH.  299 

Kenrick's  Heath.  (Syn.  Freestone  Heath.)  Very  large, 
oblong,  suture  slight,  apex  pointed  ;  surface  pale  green- 
ish-white, with  a  purplish  red  cheek  ;  flesh  deep  red  at 
the  stone,  rather  coarse,  very  juicy,  sub-acid,  second-rate, 
sometimes  third-rate ;  when  well  grown  on  some  locali- 
ties, it  proves  a  good  sub-acid  peach.  Season,  medium 
or  rather  late.  New-England. 

La  Grange.  Large,  oblong ;  surface  pale  greenish-white, 
rarely  tinged  with  red  by  the  sun  ;  flesh  juicy,  with  a 
rich,  fine  flavor.  Quite  late.  Origin,  Burlington,  N.  J., 
and  does  not  attain  a  fine  flavor  much  farther  north. 

MORRIS  WHITE.  (Syn.  Morris'  White  Rareripe,  White 
Rareripe,  Lady  Ann  Steward.)  Rather  large,  roundish, 
or  roundish-oval,  often  obscurely  obovate  or  a  little  larger 
towards  the  apex,  suture  small ;  surface  rather  downy,  of 
a  pale  creamy  white  at  maturity,  rarely  tinged  with  pur- 
ple to  the  sun;  flesh  slightly  firm,  wholly  white,  very  free 
from  the  drab  stone,  melting,  juicy,  with  a  good,  rich  fla- 
vor ;  hardly  of  the  highest  quality  at  *he  north,  better  in 
the  middle  states ;  very  popular  everywhere.  Season, 
medium,  or  early  in  autumn. 

COLE'S  WHITE  MELOCOTON,  as  usually  cultivated,  is  a  sy- 
nonym ;  but  when  genuine,  is  quite  distinct,  according 
to  T.  Hancock,  being  larger,  heavier,  and  rounder,  and 
ripening  two  weeks  later. 

Snow.  Large,  globular,  suture  distinct  only  at  apex ;  skin 
thin,  wholly  white  ;  flesh  white  to  the  stone,  juicy,  sweet, 
rich.  First  of  autumn.  Very  variable  ;  sometimes  worth- 
less for  the  table  ;  always  a  fine  peach  for  preserving. 

Strawberry.  (Syn.  Rose.)  Size  medium,  oval,  cavity 
deep,  suture  passing  half  round  ;  surface  mostly  i;  arbled 
with  deep  red ;  flesh  whitish,  melting,  rich,  of  fine  flavor. 
Early. 


300  THE    PEACH. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  DEEP  YELLOW. 

Section  I.     Leaves  crenated,  with  globose  glands. 

Sub-section  /.     Flowers  large. 

Baltimore  Beauty.  Rather  small,  round-oval ;  skin  deep 
orange,  with  a  bright  red  cheek;  flesh  yellow,  red  at  the 
stone,  sweet,  good,  mealy  when  over-ripe.  Quite  early. 
Origin,  Baltimore,  where  it-is  good,  but  it  proves  of  third- 
rate  quality  at  the  north. 

Sub-section  II.     Flowers  small. 

CEAFWORD'S  EARLY.  (Syn.  Early  Crawford,  Crawford's 
Early  Melocoton.)  Very  large  ;  oblong-oval,  sometimes 
round-oval ;  apex  with  a  prominent  point ;  suture  shal- 
low ;  surface  yellow,  with  a  red  cheek;  flesh  very  juicy, 
rich,  slightly  sub-acid,  of  good  but  not  the  highest  flavor. 
End  of  summer  and  beginning  of  autumn.  Productive. 
Ranks  very  high  in  the  northern,  middle,  and  western 
states,  as  a  market  variety.  Origin,  New-Jersey. 

CRAWFORD'S  LATE.  (Syn.  Crawford's  Late  Melocoton, 
Crawford's  Superb  Melocoton.)  Very  large,  roundish, 
suture  shallow,  distinct ;  surface  yellow,  with  a  broad, 
dark  red  cheek  ;  flesh  red  at  the  stone,  rich,  juicy,  vinous, 
hardly  first-rate.  Quite  late,  or  latter  part  of  9  mo.  (Sept.) 
Productive  ;  and  ranks  among  the  first  as  a  late  variety 
for  market.  Origin,  New- Jersey.  The  common  Red 
Cheek  Melocoton  is  cultivated  in  some  localities  under 
this  name. 

JAQTJES'  RARERIPE.  Very  large,  roundish,  slightly  oblate, 
suture  distinct,  one  side  slightly  larger,  surface  a  little 
uneven  ;  surface  deep  yellow,  variously  shaded  with  red ; 
flesh  deep  yellow,  red  at  the  stone,  of  good  but  not  of  the 
highest  flavor.  Shoots  diverging.  Ripens  at  the  end  of 
summer.  Origin,  Mass. 

Red- Cheek  Melocoton.*  Large,  roundish-oval,  with  a  point 
at  apex  ;  surface  yellow,  with  a  deep  red  cheek ;  flesh 

*  Pronounced  Mel-o-co-toon,  and  often  written  Malncatune  and  Melocotoon,  with 
other  variations  in  orthography.    It  is  the  Spanish  name  for  peach. 


THE   PEACH.  301 

red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  with  a  good,  rich,  vinous  flavor, 
not  of  first-rate  quality.  Ripens  rather  late,  or  during  the 
last  half  of  9  mo.,  (Sept.,)  in  the  middle  states  about  the 
first  of  autumn.  Extensively  cultivated  as  a  market 
peach. 

SCOTT'S  NONPAREIL.  Large,  roundish,  slightly  oblong,  sur- 
face deep  yellow  with  a  red  cheek,  resembling  Crawford's 
Late,  but  sweeter.  Origin,  Burlington,  N.  J.,  where  it 
ripens  about  the  12th  of  9  mo.,  (Sept.)  New. 

Yellow  Alberge.  (Syn.  Purple  Alberge,  Yellow  Rareripe, 
erroneously.)  Size  medium;  roundish,  suture  distinct, 
passing  half  round ;  skin  yellow,  with  a  deep  purplish 
red  cheek  ;  flesh  deep  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  sweet, 
pleasant,  of  second-rate  flavor. 

This  is  distinct  from  the  Early  Barnard  or  Alberge  of 
western  New-York,  a  sub-variety  superior  to  the  original. 

The  Rosanna,  another  sub-variety,  ten  days  later,  and  with 
reniform  glands,  is  cultivated  in  some  localities  under  the 
name  of  Yellow  Alberge. 

YELLOW  RARERIPE.  Large,  roundish ;  suture  moderate, 
passing  half  round ;  apex  with  a  small  point ;  surface 
deep  orange,  somewhat  dotted,  with  a  rich  red  cheek, 
shaded  off  in  streaks;  flesh  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  rich, 
fine ;  of  nearly  first-rate  quality ;  stone  small.  End  of 
summer,  and  first  of  autumn.  One  of  the  best  yellow 
peaches.  There  are  several  spurious  and  inferior  sub- 
varieties. 


SECTION  II.     LEAVES  WITH  RENIFORM  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  1.     Flowers  large. 

Yellow  Admirable.  (Syn.  Abricotee,  Admirable  Jaune, 
Orange  Peach,  Apricot  Peach.)  Large,  roundish-oval, 
suture  small,  and  on  one  side  only ;  surface  wholly  yel- 
low, or  faintly  reddened  next  the  sun ;  flesh  slightly  red 
at  the  stone,  firm,  and  rather  dry  ;  'flavor  sweet  and  agree- 
able ;  stone  small ;  season,  very  late.  Of  French  origin. 


302  THE    PEACH. 

Sub-section  II.     Flowers  small. 

BERGEN'S  YELLOW.  Very  large,  round,  .  slightly  ob- 
late ;  suture  distinct,  passing  more  than  half  round  ;  sur- 
face deep  orange,  with  a  broad  deep  red  cheek;  flesh 
juicy,  rich,  excellent.  Ripens  the  first  of  autumn.  This 
is  perhaps  the  finest  of  all  yellow-fleshed  peaches.  Origin, 
Long  Island,  N.  Y. 

It  differs  from  the  Yellow  Rareripe  in  its  more  oblate  form, 
darker  color,  superior  flavor,  and  later  maturity,  and  in 
its  reniform  glands. 

COLUMBIA.  Large  ;  roundish-oblate  ;  suture  distinct,  pass- 
ing half  way  round ;  skin  rough,  rather  thick,  dull  dingy 
red,  with  spots  of  darker  red;  flesh  yellow,  rich,  juicy, 
of  excellent  flavor.  Origin,  .New  Jersey.  Ripens  early 
in  autumn.  Shoots  dark  reddish  purple. 


DIVISION  II.     CLINGSTONES  OR  PAVIES. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH,  PALE  01  LIGHT  COLORED. 

Section  I.     Leaves  serrated,  without  glands. 

Sub-section  L     Flowers  large. 

Old  Newington.  (Syn.  Newington,  Large  Newington.) 
Large,  roundish,  suture  slight ;  surface  nearly  white, 
with  a  fine  red  cheek,  somewhat  streaked  with  darker  red  ; 
flesh  nearly  white,  deep  red  at  the  stone  ;  somewhat 
melting,  juicy,  rich.  Season,  rather  late,  or  middle  of 
9  mo.  (Sept.) 

A  sub-variety,  cultivated  to  a  considerable  extent  in  this 
country,  has  globose  glands. 

Smith's  Newington.  (Syn.  Early  Newington.)  Size,  me- 
dium ;  roundish-oval,  narrower  at  apex,  one  side  slightly 
enlarged;  surface  pale  yellow,  with  a  lively  red  cheek, 
streaked  with  purple  ;  flesh  bright  red  at  the  stone,  juicy, 
good.  Ripens  end  of  summer. 

This  is  of  English  origin,  and  is  quite  distinct  from  the 
Early  Newington  Freestone,  a  melting  (not  firm-fleshed) 
peach,  often  adhering  to  the  stone. 


THE    PEACH.  303 

SECTION  II.     LEAVES  CRENATE,  WITH  GLOBOSE  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.     Flowers  email. 

LARGE  WHITE  CLINGSTONE.  Large,  round,  suture  slight, 
point  at  apex  small ;  skin  white,  dotted  with  red,  or  with 
a  light  red  cheek  next  the  sun;  flesh  very  juicy,  sweet, 
rich,  and  high-flavored.  Season,  early  in  autumn.  Ori- 
gin, New- York. 

OLDMIXON  CLINGSTONE.  Large,  round 'sh-oval,  suture  dis- 
tinct only  at  apex,  fruit  slightly  larger  on  one  side ;  sur- 
face yellowish  white,  dotted  with  red,  or  with  a  red 
cheek;  flesh  juicy,  rich,  with  a  high  flavor.  Ripens  first 
of  autumn.  This  is  one  of  the  finest  of  clingstone  peaches. 

SECTION  III.     LEAVES  WITH  EENIFOKM  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.     Flowers  small. 

Catherine  Cling.  Large,  roundish-oval,  swollen  most  on 
one  side,  with  a  small  point  at  apex;  surface  pale  yellowish- 
green,  thickly  doited  and  with  a  cheek  of  red,  with  darker 
streaks  ;  flesh  firm,  dark  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  rich,  fine. 
Season,  late.  Of  English  origin.  The  fruit  of  this  va- 
riety, and  of  the  Old  Newington,  and  Oldmixon  Cling, 
considerably  resemble  each  other,  but  all  differ  in  the 
glands  of  the  leaves. 

HEATH.  (Syn.  Heath  Cling,  White  Heath.)  Very  large, 
oblong-oval,  the  largest  specimens  nearly  round,  with  a 
large,  conspicuous  point  at  the  apex ;  suture  distinct  on 
one  side  ;  surface  quite  downy,  pale  yellowish  white, 
sometimes  faintly  tinged  with  red  next  the  sun ;  flesh  ex- 
ceedingly juicy,  becoming  melting,  with  a  sweet,  very 
high,  rich,  and  excellent  flavor;  leaves  large,  wavy,  deep 
green,  slightly  crenate.  Season,  very  late,  about  mid- 
autumn,  and  the  fruit  may  be  kept  nearly  till  winter.  At 
the  north,  it  matures  fully  in  the  warmest  seasons  only; 
and  never  attains  its  full  size,  which  is  about  three  inches 
in  diameter,  unless  much  thinned  on  the  branches,  to 
effect  which  a  thorough  shortcning-in  is  by  far  the  best 
mode.  Origin,  Maryland.  Tree  quite  hardy  and  vigo- 
rous. In  southern  Virginia,  the  Heath  is  rather  an  un- 


304  THE    PEACH. 

certain  peach,  but  when  perfect  it  ripens  there  the  first 
fortnight  in  autumn. 

Incomparable.  (Syn.  Pavie  Admirable.)  Large,  roundish, 
one  side  enlarged ;  skin  nearly  white,  light  red  to  the 
sun  ;  flesh  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  agreeable,  second-rate. 
Ripens  late.  Resembles  the  Catherine,  but  larger,  later, 
and  of  inferior  quality. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  DEEP  YELLOW. 

Section  I.     Leaves  serrate,  without  glands. 

Sub-section  /.     Flowers  small. 

Orange  Clingstone.  Large,  round,  suture  distinct,  passing 
nearly  round,  with  no  point  at  the  apex ;  surface  deep 
orange,  with  a  dark  red  cheek ;  flesh  rather  firm,  rich, 
juicy,  vinous.  Season,  early  in  autumn. 

SECTION  II.     LEAVES  WITH  RENIFORM  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.     flowers  small. 

Lemon  Clingstone.  (Syn.  Kennedy's  Cling,  Pine  Apple 
Cling,  Yellow  Pine  Apple.)  Large,  oblong-oval,  slightly 
narrowed  at  'apex,  terminated  by  a  large  prominent  point ; 
surface  deep  yellow,  with  a  dark  brownish-red  cheek; 
flesh  firm,  slightly  red  at  the  stone,  with  a  rich,  vinous, 
sub-acid  flavor.  Quality  about  second-rate.  Rather  late. 
Tree  productive,  hardy.  Origin,  South  Carolina. 

Late  Yellow  Alberge.  Syn.  Algiers  Winter,  October  Yel- 
low.) Size  medium;  roundish-oval;  suture  small,  dis- 
tinct ;  skin  quite  downy,  green  becoming  yellow ;  flesh 
yellow  to  the  stone,  very  firm,  of  second-rate  quality. 
Ripens  very  late,  or  about  mid-autumn.  French. 

Tippecanoe.  Large,  nearly  round,  slightly  compressed ; 
surface  yellow,  with  a  red  cheek;  flesh  yellow,  juicy, 
vinous,  good.  Quite  late.  A  native  of  Philadelphia; 
of  little  value  much  further  north.  New. 

WASHINGTON  CLINGSTONE.  Size  medium ;  roundish ;  sur- 
face yellowish-green,  with  gray  specks,  and  with  a  slight 


THE    NECTARINE.  305 

tinge  of  red  to  the  sun ;  not  handsome ;  flesh  very  ten- 
der, sweet,  high-flavored.     Quite  late. 

CLASS  III.     FLESH  PURPLISH  CRIMSON. 
Section  I.     Glands  reniform. 

Bui-section  I.     Flowers  small. 

Blood  Clingstone.  (Sy?i.  Claret  Clingstone,  Blood  Cling.) 
Large,  often  very  large,  roundish-oval,  suture  distinct ; 
skin  quite  downy,  dark,  dull,  clouded,  purplish-red  ;  flesh 
deep  red  throughout,  firm,  juicy,  only  valuable  for  culi- 
nary purposes. 

The  French  Blood  Clingstone,  the  parent  of  the  preceding, 
only  differs  from  it  in  its  smaller  size  and  large  flowers. 

The  Blood  Freestone  is  much  smaller,  and  of  no  value. 


NECTARINES. 

The  Nectarine  being  nothing  more  than  the  peach  with  a 
glossy  skin,  the  same  rules  for  cultivation  will  apply  equal- 
ly to  both,  with  the  exception  that  its  smooth  surface  ren- 
ders it  eminently  liable,  to  the  attacks  of  the  curculio.  For 
the  remedies,  see  the  chapter  on  the  Plum. 

The  nectarine  is  usually  inferior,  and  has  more  of  the 
noyau  flavor  than  the  peach ;  and  the  shoots  are  of  smoother 
and  more  compact  growth. 

DIVISION  I.     FREESTONES. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH  PALE. 

Section  I.     Leaves  with  reniform  glands. 

Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

NEW  WHITE.  Rather  large,  nearly  round;  skin  white, 
often  a  slight  tinge  of  red ;  flesh  white,  tender,  juicy, 
rich,  vinous  ;  stone  small.  Season  medium  or  first  of 
autumn.  English. 

The  Old  White  resembles  the  preceding,  but  is  less  hardy 
and  productive. 


306  THE    NECTARINE. 

Sub-section  If.     Mowers  small. 

DOWNTON.  Medium  in  size,  roundish-oval,  pale  green, 
with  a  deep  violet-red  cheek  ;  flesh  pale  green,  slightly 
red  at  the  stone  ;  melting,  rich,  excellent.  Ripens  end 
"of  summer.  This  is  perhaps  the  best  flavored  of  all  the 
nectarines.  Engli.sh. 

Due  de  Telliers.  Rather  large,  roundish-oblong,  apex  slight- 
ly narrowed,  base  broad  ;  pale  green,  with  a  marbled 
purple-red  cheek;  flesh  pale  red  at  the  stone,  juicy, 
sweet,  good.  Rather  early,  or  end  of  summer. 

EARLY  VIOLET.  (Syn.  Violet  Hative,  Aromatic,  New  Scar- 
let, Large  Scarlet,  Early  Brugnon,  Violet  Musk,  Violette 
Musquee.)  Size  medium ;  roundish,  apex  slightly  nar- 
rowed, suture  shallow ;  skin  with  a  dark  purple  red 
cheek  and  brown  dots,  on  pale  yellowish-green ;  flesh 
whitish,  much  reddened  at  the  stone;  stone  roundish, 
moderately  rough,  reddish  or  reddish  brown  ;  flesh  melt- 
ing, rich,  high-flavored,  and  aromatic;  of  the  finest  quali- 
ty. Season  medium  or  end  of  summer.  Distinguished 
from  Elruge  by  its  redder  flesh  and  stone,  and  darker 
skin. 

The  LARGE  EARLY  VIOLET,  or  VIOLETTE  GROSSE,  differs  in 
its  larger  size  and  rather  inferior  flavor. 

ELRUGE.  Medium  in  size,  roundish-oval ;  suture  slight, 
distinct  at  apex ;  skin  a  dark  red  or  deep  violet  on  a 
greenish-yellow  ground,  with  minute  brownish  dots  ;  flesh 
greenish-white,  slightly,  sometimes  scarcely  stained  with 
pale  red  at  the  stone;  juicy,  rich,  high-flavored;  stone 
rough,  pale.  Season  about  medium,  or  first  of  autumn. 
This  is  one  of  the  best  and  most  celebrated  of  nectarines. 

HARDWICKE  SEEDLING.  Large,  roundish,  approaching  oval, 
resembling  Elruge  ;  skin  with  a  violet-red  cheek  on  pale 
green  ;  flesh  greenish-white,  slightly  reddened  at  the 
stone,  juicy,  rich,  high-flavored.  Season,  medium,  or 
end  of  summer.  English,  new. 

Murrey.  Size  medium,  roundish-ovate,  one  side  slightly 
larger,  skin  with  a  dark  red  cheek  on  pale  green ;  flesh 


THE    NECTARINE.  307 

greenish-white,  sweet,  good  ;  stone  nearly  smooth.  Rather 
early.     Unproductive.     English,  old. 

Peterborough.  Rather  small,  roundish  ;  skin  nearly  green, 
with  a  slightly  dingy  red  cheek;  flesh  greenish- white  to 
the  stone,  flavor  tolerable.  Very  late,  or  nearly  mid- 
autumn.  Valueless.  The  sort  usually  propagated  under 
this  name  in  this  country,  although  a  superior  sort,  is  not 
genuine. 


CLASS  II.     FLESH  DEEP  YELLOW. 

Section  I.     Leaves  serrate,  without  glands. 

Sub-section  I.     Flowers  small. 

HUNT'S  TAWNY.  Nearly  medium  size,  roundish-ovate,  nar- 
rowed and  pointed  at  apex,  one  side  slightly  enlarged  ; 
skin,  a  dark  red  cheek  on  pale  orange,  with  numerous 
russet  specks ;  flesh  deep  orange,  rich,  juicy,  good.  Eng- 
lish. Valuable  for  its  early  maturity,  ripening  quite 
early,  or  three  weeks  before  the  close  of  summer. 

SECTION  II.     LEAVES  WITH  RENIFORM  GLANDS. 
Sub-section  I.    Flowers  small. 

BOSTON.  (Syn.  Perkins,  Lewis.)  Large,  handsome,  round- 
ish-oval; bright  yellow,  with  a  deep  red  cheek;  flesh 
yellow  to  the  stone,  with  a  good,  pleasant,  but  not  very 
high  flavor.  Season,  medium,  or  about  the  first  of  au- 
tumn. A  native  of  Boston. 

FairchildSs.  Small,  round,  slightly  flattened  at  apex ;  skin 
a  bright  red  cheek  on  yellowish  green;  flesh  yellow  to 
the  stone,  rather  dry,  flavor  poor.  Quite  early,  its  only 
merit. 

PITMASTON'S  ORANGE.  Large,  roundish-ovate,  base  broad, 
apex  narrow  and  pointed  ;  surface  with  a  dark  reddish 
cheek,  slightly  streaked  at  the  margin,  on  rich  orange ; 
flesh  deep  yellow,  red  at  the  stone;  juicy,  rich,  fine; 
stone  rather  small.  Rather  early. 


308  THE    NECTARINE. 

DIVISION  II.     CLINGSTONES. 

CLA^S  I.     FLESH  PALE. 

Section  I.     Leaves  serrate  without  glande. 

Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

EARLY  NEWINGTON.  (Syn.  Black,  Early  Black,  Lucombe's 
Seedling.)  Large,  roundish-ovate,  one  side  slightly  en- 
larged, apex  pointed  ;  skin  pale  green,  nearly  covered 
with  bright  red  and  with  darker  marblings  and  dots  ; 
flesh  greenish-white,  deep  red  at  the  stone,  juicy,  with  a 
fine  rich  flavor.  First  of  autumn. 

Newington.  (Syn.  Scarlet  Newington,  Scarlet,  Old  New- 
ington,  Smith's  Newington,  Anderson's.)  Rather  large, 
roundish  ;  nearly  covered  with  red  and  darker  marblings, 
on  pale  greenish-yellow;  flesh  deep  red  at  the  stone, 
juicy,  rich,  vinous.  Rather  late.  Best  when  ripened  to 
shrivelling. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  YELLOW. 

Section  II.     Leaves  with  reniform  glands. 

Sub-section  I.     Flowers  large. 

Red  Roman.  (Sy?i.  Roman,  Old  Roman,  Brugnon  Musquee.) 
Large,  roundish,  a  little  flattened  at  apex ;  skin  greenish- 
yellow,  with  a  somewhat  rough,  dull  reddish-brown  cheek, 
with  brown  russet  specks  ;  flesh  firm,  greenish-yellow, 
deep  red  at  the  stone,  rich,  vinous,  high-flavored.  Sea- 
son medium  or  rather  late. 

Sub-section  II.     Flowers  small. 

Broomfield.  Large,  roundish  ;  skin  with  a  dull  red  cheek 
on  dull  yellow ;  flesh  yellowish ;  flavor  tolerable.  Rather 
late.  Origin,  Harvard,  Mass. 

Golden.  (Syn.  Orange,  Fine  Gold-Fleshed.)  Medium  in 
size, roundish-ovate,  handsome  ;  surface  bright  waxen  yel- 
low, with  a  small  scarlet  cheek  ;  flesh  firm,  of  rather  poor 
flavor.  Cultivated  only  for  its  beauty.  Rather  late. 

Prince's  Golden  Nectarine  resembles  this,  but  is  larger, 
a  week  later,  and  has  large  flowers. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THE    APRICOT. 


IT  is  remarkable  that  a  fruit  of  such  excellence  as  the 
apricot,  and  ripening  from  one  to  two  months  before  the  best 
early  peaches,  should  be  so  little  known.  In  its  natural 
character,  it  is  more  nearly  allied  to  the  plum  than  the  peach, 
resembling  the  former  in  its  broad  leaf,  and  in  the  smooth 
stone  of  its  fruit;  but  downy  like  the  peach,  and  partaking 
largely  of  its  flavor  and  excellence. 

The  apricot  is  budded  on  seedling  apricots,  and  on  peach 
and  plum  s:ocks.  Plum  stocks  are  preferred,  and  are  more 
especially  adapted  to  heavy  soils.  On  light  soils,  the  hard- 
shelled  almond,  and  the  wild  plum,  have  proved  excellent. 

The  soil  should  be  deep  and  dry.  Young  trees  have  fre- 
quently perished  from  a  wet  sub-soil,  even  where  the  sur- 
face was  not  unusually  moist.  A  mistaken  notion  prevails 
as  to  the  hardiness  of  the  apricot.  On  suitable  soils,  it  is 
as  hardy  as  most  early  peaches.  This  mistake  has  however 
arisen  from  other  causes.  The  tree  has  been  commonly 
planted  in  the  warmest  situations,  as  on  the  warm  side  of 
buildings,  or  other  sheltered  site,  facing  the  hot  sun,  where 
they  have  blossomed  early,  and  as  a  consequence,  the  crop 
has  not  unfrequently  been  destroyed  by  vernal  frosts.  Hence, 
a  northern  or  more  exposed  aspect,  would  be  far  preferable. 
If  trained  on  a  building,  the  eastern  side  should ~  be  espe- 
cially avoided,  as  a  hot  morning  sun  upon  frosted  buds 
would  be  nearly  certain  destruction. 

The  liability  to  the  attacks  of  the  curculio,  and  the  very 
common  destruction  of  the  whole  crop  by  this  insect,  has  led 
to  the  erroneous  conclusion  that  the  apricot  is  not  suited  to 
our  northern  climate.  Several  cultivators,  as  far  north  as 
forty-three  degrees  of  latitude,  by  a  systematic  destruction 
of  this  insect,  obtain  annually  heavy  crops  of  this  delicious, 
golden,  mid-summer  fruit.  The  mode  of  protection  is  fully 
described  in  the  chapter  on  the  Plum. 


310 


THE    APRICOT. 


VARIETIES. 

CLASS  I.     STONE  WITH  A  SWEET  KERNEL. 
Section  I.     Medium  in  size. 

Orange.  (Syn.  Early  Orange,  Royal  Orange,  Royal  George, 
Persian,  Royal  Persian.)  Size  medium;  roundish;  su- 
ture distinct,  deep  at  base  ;  surface  orange,  often  a  ruddy 
cheek  ;  flesh  dark  orange,  half  dry,  partly  adhering  to  the 
stone — dry  and  poor  unless  house-ripened.  Stone  small, 
roundish.  Culinary.  Ripens  at  mid-su miner. 

TURKEY.  Size,  medium ;  round,  not  compressed;  surface 
deep  yellow,  with  a  mottled  brownish  orange  cheek  ;  flesh 
pale  yellow,  firm,  juicy,  with  a  fine  mixture  of  sweet  and 
acid  ;  very  free  from  stone.  Rather  late,  or  middle  of  8 
mo.,  Aug.  Somewhat  resembles  Moorpark,  but  differs 
in  being  rounder,  paler,  with  an  impervious  stone,  and 
sweet  kernel. 

The  Blotch-leaved,  or  Golden  Blotched,  is  identical  with 
the  preceding,  with 'a  yellow  spot  on  the  centre  of  each 
leaf. 

Section  II.     Small. 

BREDA.     (Syn.  Holland,  Amande  Aveline.)    Rather  small, 

sometimes  nearly  medium,  (an 
inch  and  a  half  diameter,)  round- 
ish, obscurely  four-sided,  suture 
distinct ;  surface  orange,  with 
a  dark  reddish  orange  cheek; 
flesh  deep  orange,  free  from 
the  stone,  rich  and  high-fla- 
vored. Quite  early,  or  a  week 
or  two  after  mid-summer.  Har- 
dy for  an  apricot,  and  very  pro- 
Fig.  241.  Breda.  QUCtlve. 

BLACK.  (Syn.  Purple  Apricot,  Noir,  Violet.)  Small  or 
medium  ;  round ;  pale  red  where  densely  shaded,  dull 


THE    APRICOT  311 

deep  purple  or  nearly  black  in  the  sun ;  surface  with  a 
thin  down  ;  flesh  red  near  the  skin,  yellowish  at  the  stone  ; 
flesh  somewhat  fibrous,  sweet,  slightly  astringent,  with  a 
pleasant,  good,  second-rate  flavor.  Adheres  to  the  stone. 
Hardy  as  an  apple  tree,  and  very  productive.  A  distinct 
species  (St.  dasycarpa)  from  the  other  apricots.  Ripens 
with  the  Breda.  Reproduces  itself  from  the  stone.  Shoots 
quite  slender,  greenish. 

There  is  another  quite  different  apricot,  called  Violet  or 
Red  Angoumois;  small,  oblong,  lighter  red, 'free  from  the 
stone.  Rare. 

Early  Golden.  (Syn.  Dubois'  Apricot.)  Small,  an  inch  and 
a  fourth  in  diameter ;  round-oval,  nearly  smooth,  suture 
narro  .v,  distinct ;  surface  wholly  pale  orange  ;  flesh  orange, 
moderately  juicy,  sweet,  good,  free  from  the  stone.  Early, 
or  ten  days  before  the  Moorpark.  Hardy,  very  productive, 
profitable  for  market.  Origin,  Dutchess  county,  N.  Y. 

Wusch.  (Syn.  Musch-Musch.)  Rather  small,  round,  deep 
yellow,  with  a  slight  orange  red  cheek;  flesh  yellow, 
translucent,  tender,  sweet.  Tree  rather  tender.  Little 
known  in  this  country.  Origin,  Musch,  in  Asia  Minor. 

CLASS  II.     STONE  WITH  A  BITTER  KERNEL. 
Section  I.     Fi~v.it  large. 

HEMSKIRKE.  Large,  roundish,  compressed;  surface  orange, 
with  a  red  cheek  ;  flesh  bright  orange,  rich,  juicy,  spright- 
ly. Stone  rather  small.  Resembles  Moorpark,  but  smaller, 
a  little  earlier,  and  stone  not  perforate.  English.  Rare 
in  this  country. 

MOORPARK.  (Syn.  Anson's,  Dunmore's  Breda,  Temple's.) 
Large,  (two  inches  in  diameter,)  nearly  round,  slightly 
compressed ;  surface  orange,  with  a  deep  orange  red 
cheek,  and  with  numerous  darker  dots  ;  flesh  free  from 
the  stone,  bright  yellowish  orange,  rather  firm,  quite 
juicy,  with  a  rich,  high  flavor.  Stone  perforate,  or  with 
a  hole  lengthwise  under  one  edge,  so  that  a  pin  may  be 
thrust  through.  Season  medium,  or  two  weeks  after 
mid-summer.  Requires  the  shortening-in  pruning  recom- 
mended for  the  peach.  English.  Old. 

14 


312 


THE    APRICOT. 


PEACH.  (Syn.  Anson's  Imperial,  Peche,  De  Nancy.) 
Very  large,  slightly  larger  than  Moorpark ;  yellowish 
orange,  with  a  brownish  orange  cheek,  and  mottled  with 
dark  brown. to  the  sun  ;  flesh  a  rich  yellow,  juicy,  with  a 
rich,  high  flavor.  Stone  perforate.  Ripens  about  the 
time  of  the  Moorpark,  which  it  closely  resembles,  but  is 
of  larger  size.  Origin,  Piedmont. 

ROYAL.  Rather  large,  round-oval,  slightly  compressed,  su- 
ture shallow;  dull  yellow,  faintly  reddened  to  the  sun; 
flesh  pale  orange,  firm,  juicy,  sweet,  high-flavored,  slight- 
ly sub-acid,  free  from  the  large,  oval,  nearly  impervious 
stone.  Ripens  a  week  before  Moorpark,  smaller  than  the 
latter,  and  with  a  less  bitter  kernel.  French.  Rare  in 
this  country 

Shipley's.  (Syn.  Blenheim.)  Large,  oval,  surface  orange, 
flesh  deep  yellow,  juicy,  rather  rich  ;  stone  roundish,  not 
perforate.  Inferior  to  Moorpark,  but  rather  earlier.  Eng- 
lish. New. 

Section  II.     Medium  in  size. 

Brussels.  Size  medium ;  rather  oval,  compressed ;  pale 
yellow,  dotted  white  in  the  shade,  russety  brown  to  the 

sun ;  suture  deep  at 
base ;  flesh  yellow, 
rather  firm,  moderate- 
ly rich.  Rather  late. 

LARGE    EARLY. — 

Size  medium;  oblong, 
compressed  ;  suture 
deep ;  slightly  downy; 
pale  orange,  with  a 
spotted  bright  orange 
cheek,very  handsome; 
flesh  free  from  the 
stone,  pale  orange, 
rich,  juicy.  Ripens 
at  or  a  little  before 
Fig.  242.  Larg*  Early.  mid-summer.  Origin, 

south  of  France. 


THE    APRICOT.  313 

(Syn.  Abricot  Commun.)  Medium  in  size,  rather 
oval,  compressed,  suture  small  or  obscure ;  surface  pale 
yellow,  with  a  few  red  dots  to  the  sun ;  flesh  very  fine- 
grained, half  juicy,  with  a  mild  pleasant  flavor.  Worth- 
less in  England,  but  greatly  improved  by  our  warm  sum- 
mers. Productive.  Season,  rather  early  or  medium,  or 
two  weeks  after  mid-summer.  It  is  disseminated  in  this 
country  under  various  erroneous  names. 
1  te  Blotch-leaved  Roman  differs  only  in  the  yellow  spot  or 
stain  of  its  leaves. 

Section  III.     Small. 

AJ>cfgjer.  (3yn.  Alberge.)  Small,  roundish,  slightly  com- 
jjifcssed,  deep  yellow,  flesh  reddish,  firm,  with  a  rather 
biibk  flavor ;  stone  compressed.  Rather  late.  Leaves 
with  stipules.  For  preserving. 

Red  Mctculine.  (Syn.  Early  Masculine,  Brown  Masculine, 
Abricotin,  Abricot  Precoce,  Abricotier  Hatif.)  Small, 
nearly  round,  suture  distinct ;  bright  yellow,  with  deep 
orange  cheek  and  red  spots  ;  flesh  yellow,  slightly  musky, 
sub-acid ;  stone  thick,  obtuse  at  ends.  Flowers  rather 
small.  Very  early  or  about  mid-summer.  Hardy,  for  an 
apricot.  Valuable  only  for  its  earliness. 

White  Masculine.  (Syn.  White  Apricot,  Early  White  Mas- 
culine, Abricot  Blanc.)  Small,  roundish,  nearly  white, 
rarely  a  faint  reddish  cheek,  rather  downy  ;  flesh  white, 
delicate,  a  little  fibrous,  adhering  to  the  stone.  Closely 
resembles  the  Red  Masculine,  except  in  color  and  being 
rather  better,  and  four  or  five  days  later. 


CHAPTER      VI. 


THE    PLUM. 


RAISING  THE  YOUNG  TREES.  The  plum  is  propagated  by 
budding  or  grafting  on  seedling  plums.  For  this  purpose, 
the  stones  of  such  varieties  should  be  chosen,  as  are  of  large 
and  thrifty  growth ;  and  they  are  to  be  treated  in  planting 
precisely  as  directed  for  the  peach,  with  additional  care  to 
prevent  the  drying  of  the  stones,  which  much  sooner  takes 

Elace  in  consequence  of  their  smaller  size  and  thinner  shell. 
f  not  cracked,  a  part  only  will  vegetate  the  first  year, 
although  many  may  be  made  to  open  by  the  repeated  action 
of  freezing  and  thawing. 

On  light  or  unfavorable  soils,  most  of  the  common  varie- 
ties produce  feeble  and  slowly  growing  seedlings  ;  an  excel- 
lent substitute  will  be  found  in  the  larger  sorts  of  the  wild 
plum,  sometimes  known  as  the  Canada  plum,  (Pru'tius 
Americana.}  Those  varieties  which  are  found  to  outgrow 
this  stock,  should  be  worked  at  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
and  when  transplanted  the  place  of  union  should  be  set  a 
few  inches  lower. 

Grafting,  to  succeed  best,  should  be  done  quite  early  in 
spring,  before  the  buds  have  commenced  swelling  ;  and  bud- 
ding mnst  be  performed  while  the  stocks  are  at  the  period 
of  their  most  vigorous  growth,  provided  sufficiently  matured 
buds  can  be  procured,  which  is  usually  soon  after  mid-sum- 
mer. If  deferred,  the  bark  will  not  peel  freely,  and  the 
buds  will  not  adhere. 

For  dwarfs,  seedlings  of  the  Mirabelle  plum  are  chiefly 
used  for  stocks. 

On  light  soils,  the  peach  has  been  occasionally  used  as 
stocks  for  plum  trees.  A  very  few  varieties  take  readily  and 
grow  freely,  and  large  healthy  trees  have  in  some  instances 
been  produced;  but  the  great  uncertainty  which  attends  its 


THE   PLUM.  315 

use,  and  the  failure  with  most  varieties,  indicate  the  pro- 
priety of  the  rejection  of  the  peach  for  this  purpose. 

The  time  required  to  attain  a  sufficient"  size  for  the  or- 
chard, varies  much  with  different  sorts.  The  Imperial  Gage, 
the  Washington,  Huling's  Superb,  and  others,  grow  rapidly, 
and  usually  produce  good  trees  in  two  years  from  the  graft 
or  bud ;  while  such  slow-growing  plums  as  the  Primordian, 
Green  Gage,  and  Red  Diaper,  require  a  much  longer  period. 

Soil.  The  best  soil,  usually,  is  a  strong,  rich,  moderately 
moist,  clayey  loam.  On  many  light  soils  the  tree  grows 
with  less  vigor,  independently  of  which  the  crop  is  more  fre- 
quently destroyed  by  the  curculio,  a  pervious  soil  affording 
a  more  ready  place  of  shelter  for  the  young  insects,  on  their 
escape  from  the  fallen  fruit.  A  few  varieties  are  well  adapt- 
ed to  rather  dry  as  well  as  light  lands. 

One.  of  the.  best  manures  for  the  plum,  as  well  as  for  the 
quince,  is  common  salt.  For  large-sized  trees,  half  a  peck 
may  be  applied  annually  early  in  spring ;  spread  to  a  dis- 
tance round  each  tree  quite  as  far  as  the  extent  of  the 
branches  ;  smaller  trees  should  receive  a  proportionate  quan- 
tity, or  just  enough  to  cover  the  ground  equally  thick.  This 
application  has  been  found  to  add  to  the  thriftiness  of  the 
tree,  to  lessen  the  tendency  to  leaf-blight,  and  in  some  in- 
stances it  has  contributed  to  the  repulsion  of  the  curculio. 

In  planting  orchards,  a  suitable  distance  is  one  rod  apart, 
giving  160  to  the  acre.  The  ground  should  be  manured 
and  kept  well  cultivated,  as  the  plum,  especially  when 
young,  is  very  sensitive  to  the  effects  of  the  weeds  and 
grass  of  neglected  culture. 

DISEASES    AND    ENEMIES. 

The  chief  are  the  curculio,  and  the  black  excrescences  on 
the  limbs. 

The  curculio,  represented  in  the  annexed  figure,  (24»3,)  is 
*^     a  small  insect  not  more  than  a  quarter  of  an  inch 
'J^^    long,  of  a  dark  brown  color,  the  sheaths  covering 
Fi«r.  243    the     ings  slightly  variegated  with  lighter  colors, 
thVbody  resembling  in  size   and   appearance  a  ripe  he:i;p 
seed.     It  is  distinguished  by  an  elongation  of  the  head,  re- 
sembling a  conspicuous  rostrum  or  beak  projecting  from  the 
front  part  of  its  thorax. 


316  THE    PLUM. 

About  the  time  the  young  fruit  attains  the  size  of  a  pea,  the 
curculio  begins  its  work  of  destruction.  It 
makes  a  small  crescent-shaped  incision  in 
the  young  fruit,  and  lays  its  egg  in  the 
opening.  The  presence  of  the  egg  may  be 
easily  detected  by  these  incisions  upon  the 
surface  ;  the  annexed  figure,  (^44,)  repre- 
sents one  of  these  magnified  twice  in  diame- 
ter. The  egg  soon  hatches  into  a  small  white  larva,  which 
enters  the  body  of  the  fruit  and  feeds  upon  it,  causing, 
usually,  its  premature  fall  to  the  ground. 

The  period  at  which  the  young  fruit  falls,  after  being 
punctured,  varies  with  its  age  at  the  time  of  the  injury.  The 
earlier  portions  drop  in  about  two  weeks ;  but  if  the  stone 
is  hard  when  the  egg  is  laid,  the  fruit  remains  till  near  the 
usual  period  of  ripening,  sometimes  presenting  a  fair  and 
smooth  exterior,  but  spoiled  by  the  worm  within. 

The  insect,  soon  after  the  fall  of  the  fruit,  makes  its  way 
into  the  earth,  where  it  is  supposed  to  remain  till  the  fol- 
lowing spring,  when  it  is  transformed  into  the  perfect  in- 
sect or  beetle,  to  lay  its  eggs  and  perpetuate  its  race.  In- 
stances, however,  have  occurred,  where  the  transformation 
has  taken  place  within  twenty  days  of  the  fall  of  the  fruit. 

The  curculio  travels  by  flying,  but  only  during  quite 
warm  weather,  or  at  the  heat  of  the  day.  The  insects  most- 
ly confine  themselves  to  certain  trees,  or  to  the  same  orchard. 
But  the  fact  that  newly  bearing  and  isolated  orchards  are 
soon  attacked,  clearly  shows  that  in  occasional  instances 
they  must  travel  considerable  distances.  Indeed,  they  have 
been  known  to  be  wafted  on  the  wind  for  a  half  mile  or 
more,  the  windward  side  of  orchards  being  most  infested, 
immediately  after  strong  winds  from  a  thickly  planted  plum 
neighborhood.  In  the  cool  of  the  morning,  they  are  nearly 
torpid,  and  can  scarcely  fly,  and  crawl  but  slowly ;  hence, 
at  this  time  of  the  day  they  are  most  easily  destroyed. 

Their  flight  appears  to  be  never  more  than  a  few  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  successful  attempts  have  been  made 
to  shut  them  out  of  fruit  gardens  by  means  of  a  tight  board 
fence,  nine  or  ten  feet  high,  entered  by  a  tight  gate. 

The.  remedies  for  the  curculio  are  various.  They  are  of 
three  distinct  methods ;  the  first,  repelling  or  excluding 


THE    PLUM. 


317 


them,  as  by  a  tight  fence,  or  by  a  heap  of  fermenting  ma- 
nure ;  the  second,  the  direct  and  immediate  destruction  of 
the  insects  while  in  the  act  of  depositing  their  eggs;  and 
the  third,  the  destruction  of  the  young  larva  or  worm  in  the 
injured  fruit  to  save  the  next  season's  crop. 

1.  It  has  been  found   that  the    effluvia  from  fermenting 
manure  effectually  repels  the  curculio.     Trees  standing  near 
stable-cleanings  usually  bear  full  crops,  and  heaps   of  fer- 
menting manure  placed  for  this  purpose  beneath   the  trees, 
have  yielded  the  same  successful  result.     But  other  offen- 
sive substances,  as  strong  tobacco  water  with  whale-oil-soap, 
applied  so  abundantly  as  to  coat  thickly  the  young  fruit,  has 
not  deterred   them  in  their  attacks.     In   addition  to  these 
means,  the    frequent  passing  near  trees  planted  by  door- 
paths  and  other  frequented  places,  and  the  presence  of  swine 
in  orchards,  doubtless  contribute  to  some  extent  towards  the 
same  end,  by  frightening  the  insects  away. 

2.  Destruction  of  the  insects  while  stinging  the  fruit  is 
thoroughly   effectual,  if  vigorously  and    unremittingly   ap- 
plied.    The  best  and  indeed  only  practicable  mode,   is  to 
jar  them  from  the  tree  upon  white  sheets  spread  beneath. 
While  lying  upon  the  sheet  they  may  not  at  the  first  glance 
of  an  unpracticed   eye  be    distinguished  from  the   fallen, 
withered  blossoms ;  but  a  moment's   attention  will  quickly 
remove  this  difficulty.     If  the  sheets  are  stiffened  by  ireans 

of  a  light  frame,  they 
may  be  carried  by  a  sin- 
gle person  and  placed 
readily  beneath  the  tree. 
A  very  large,  coarsely 
made  umbrella,  covered 
with  white  muslin,  with 
a  slit  in  one  side,  two- 
thirds  in  to,  receive^  the 
trunk  of  the  tree,  has 
been  found  very  con- 
venient for  young  or  mo- 
derate-sized trees,  the 
umbrella  being  spread 
in  an  inverted  position, 
Fig.  345.  as  exhibited  in  the  an- 


318  THE    PLUM. 

nexed  figure,  C245,)  and  as  soon  as  the  insects  are  jarred 
down  upon  it,  it  is  half  closed  and  shaken,  when  all  its  con- 
tents roll  to  the  centre  and  fall  through  a  hole,  three  inches 
in  diameter,  into  a  vessel  of  hot  water  carried  for  th:s  pur- 
pose. Such  an  umbrella  may  be  procured  at  the  manufac- 
turers, six  or  seven  feet  in  diameter,  for  about  three  dollars, 
and  will  save  a  large  amount  of  labor.  Next  to  this  in  con- 
venience, are  double  square  frames  covered  with  white  mus- 
lin, shutting  together  like  the  leaves  of  a  book,  and  enable 
the  operator  to  throw  all  the  fallen  insects  into  hot  water  at 
one  movement  of  the  hands. 

A  quick  and  sudden  jar  is  important,  and  may  be  given 
by  the  stroke  of  a  mallet,  upon  the  short  stump  of  one  of  the 
smaller  limbs,  sawed  off  for  this  purpose,  and  which  prevents 
bruising  the  bark.  Or  a  mallet  may  be  thickly  covered 
with  woolen  cloth  encased  in  India  rubber,  to  prevent  in- 
jury to  the  tree;  but  the  jar  is  less  sudden  in  this  case, 
David  Thomas,  (who  first  proposed  jarring  down  on  sheets, ^ 
in  a  communication  to  the  Genesee  Farmer,  in  1S32,  says, 
"Not  three  days  ago,  I  saw  that  many  of  the  plums  were 
punctured,  and  began  to  suspect  that  shaking  the  tree  was 
not  sufficient.  Under  a  tree  in  a  remote  part  of  a  fruit 
garden,  having  spread  the  sheets,  I  therefore  made  the  fol- 
lowing experiment :  On  shakimg  it  well,  I  caught  five  cur- 
culios ;  on  jarring  it  with  the  hand,  I  caught  twelve  more; 
an  on  striking  the  tree  with  a  stone,  eight  more  dropped  on 
the  sheets.  I  was  now  convinced  that  I  had  been  in  an  er- 
ror; and  calling  in  the  necessary  assistance,  and  using  a 
hammer  to  jar  the  tree  violently,  we  caught  in  less  than  an 
hour,  more  than  two  hundred  and  sixty  of  these  insects." 
With  large  trees,  it  may  be  necessary  to  shake  each  limb 
separately,  by  means  of  a  pole  with  the  woolen  and  india- 
rubber  knob,  already  described,  at  its  extremity. 

The  best  time  for  this  work  is  in  the  cool  of  the  morning, 
when  the  insects  are  partly  torpid  with  cold,  and  drop  quick- 
ly. At  mid-day  they  retain  their  hold  more  tenaciously,  and 
more  quickly  escape.  '  The  work  should  be  commenced 
very  early  in  the  season,  as  soon  as  the  fruit  begins  to  set, 
or  is  not  larger  than  a  small  pea.  With  properly  stiffened 
muslin  frames,  a  few  minutes  are  sufficient  for  many  trees, 


THE    PLUM.  31€ 

and  labor  equal  in  the  aggregate  to  that  of  a  single  entire 
day,  may  save  large  and  valuable  crops. 

3.  The  third  class  of  remedies  includes  the  different  means 
of  destroying  the  fallen  fruit,  as  soon  as  it  drops,  and  before 
the  larvae  escape  to  the  earth.  One  of  these  consists  in 
beating  the  ground  smooth  beneath  the  tree,  sweeping  up 
the  fallen  fruit  daily,  and  feeding  it  to  hogs  or  otherwise 
destroying  it.  Paving  with  brick,  by  preventing  the  en- 
trance of  the  insects  into  the  ground,  effects  the  same 
purpose.  If  the  soil  is  hard  clay,  beating  the  surface, 
renders  it  nearly  as  compact  as  a  pavement.  Hence,  the 
reason  why  the  plum  crop  more  frequently  escapes  in  clayey 
regions,  than  on  lighter  soils,  where  the  insect  makes  its 
way  more  easily  into  the  earth. 

But  more  effectual  than  the  last,  is  the  confinement  of 
swine  beneath  the  trees.  They  immediately  pick  up  and 
destroy  the  punctured  fruit,  and  by  their  constant  presence, 
serve  to  frighten  away  the  insects  from  their  work  of  de- 
struction. Experience  has  thoroughly  established  the  effi- 
ciency of  this  method,  where  a  sufficient  number  of  swine  has 
been  allowed  the  run  of  the  orchard.  Geese  and  hens  are, 
to  a  limited  extent,  useful  in  repelling  or  destroying  the 
curculio. 

To  apply  this  remedy  most  efficiently,  all  the  trees  of  the 
apricot,  nectarine,  and  plum,  should  be  planted  apart  from 
the  rest  of  the  orchard,  so  that  swine  may  be  exclusively 
confined  among  them,  where  they  should  be  allowed  to  re- 
main the  whole  season,  except  during  the  period  of  the 
ripening  of  the  fruit.  It  will  be  quite  necessary,  however, 
to  protect  all  the  younger  trees,  by  encasing  them  in  board 
boxes,  or  by  tying  round  them  a  mass  of  sweet-briar  limbs 
or  other  densely  prickly  or  thorny  plant. 

Dr.  Kirtland'says,  ""This  insect,  last  season,  [1848, 
stroyed  every  plum  on  my  farm,  except  the  crop  of  one 
in  my  swine  lot ;  that  tree  is  bending  under  its  load 
fruit."  A  cultivator  in  western  New-York,  by  the  large 
number  of  hogs  kept  in  his  plum  yard,  had  abundant  crops 
for  more  than  twenty  successive  years,  while  his  neglectful 
neighbors  lost  the  greater  part  of  theirs.  It  may,  however, 
happen,  in  thickly  planted  neighborhoods,  that  swine  may 
not  prove  a  sufficient  protection;  but  we  know  of  no  iu- 


14* 


Mimos 

«  del 
ie  tree\ 
Dad  of  ) 


320  THE    PLUM. 

stance  whatever,  where  abundant  crops  have  not  been  ob- 
tained by  combining  the  two  remedies  of  swine  and  jarring 
down  the  insects. 

The  curculio  appears  to  prefer  the  nectarine  to  all  other 
fruit  for  the  lodgment  of  its  eggs,  and  next  to  this  the  plum 
and  apricot.  A  large  portion  of  the  cherry  crop  is  frequent- 
ly more  or  less  injured,  and  sometimes  wholly  destroyed  ; 
and  for  this  reason  it  may  usually  be  expedient  to  give  it 
the  benefit  of  the  protection  of  swine  in  the  same  enclosure 
with  other  smooth  stone  fruit.  The  peach  is  sometimes  at- 
tacked, but  only  the  very  early  nutmeg  varieties  wholly  de- 
stroyed. Some  varieties  of  the  apple  are  much  stung,  as 
indicated  by  the  crescent-shaped  incisions  :  but  the  larvre 
rarely  reach  so  far  as  the  core,  and  usually  perish  within  the 
flesh  of  the  fruit. 

Among  the  various  remedies  which  have  been  tried  and 
proved  partial  or  entire  failures,  may  be  mentioned  the  ap- 
plication of  salt  to  the  ground,  beneath  the  tree,  and  its  di- 
rect application  to  the  fruit  ;  syringing  tobacco  water  over 
the  fruit  and  leaves;  hanging  bottles  of  sweetened  water 
in  the  branches  to  catch  the  insects,  and  placing  white- 
washed boxes  with  water  in  the  bottom  during  the  night, 
with  a  lamp  within  each,  to  decoy  them  ;*  and  inverting 
the  soil  with  a  spade  late  in  autumn,  to  expose  them  to  the 
frosts  of  winter. 

The  black  excrescences  on  the  shoots  and  limbs,  fig.   246, 
known  as  the  black  knot,  black  gum,  and  warts, 
are  variously  supposed  to  be   the    \vork  of  an 
insect,  o-r  the  result  of  diseased  sap  or  cells,  or 
regarded    as  a  sort  of  vegetable  ulcer.  They 
have  been  by  some  attributed  to  the  curculio,  an 
opinion  originating  from  the  occasional  detec- 
tion of  this  insect  within  the  pulpy  excrescen- 
ces, but  entirely  disproved  by  the  facts  that  the 
curculio  has  existed  in  vast  numbers  in  neigh- 
borhoods where  the  excrescences  are  unknown  ; 
and  on  the  other  hand,    that  the   excrescences 
Fig.  '246.       have     lUined    trees     in     places     not     infested 
with  the  curculio;  besides  which,  the  most  rigid  search  of 
newly  forming  knots  has  failed  to  detect  the-eggs   or  larvae 

*  Which,  however,  prove  very  efficient  means  of  destroying-   many  other    insects 
injurious  to  fruits  and  fruit  trees. 


, 
THE    PLUM.  .    321 

of  the  curculio,  which  are  only  occasionally  found  when  de- 
posited at  a  later  stage  in  the  large  pulpy  swellings. 

Others,  with  more  plausibility,  believe  the  disaster  to  re- 
sult from  the  infusion  of  poison  by  the  minute  sting  of  an 
insect,  and  which  afterwards  spreads  over  the  tree  by  the 
moving  sap.  But  sufficient  evidence  has  not  been  furnished 
to  establish  this  opinion,  nor  the  insect  in  question  detected. 

Sufficient  evidence  appears  to  have  been  furnished,  how- 
ever, to  prove  that  a  tree,  badly  diseased,  is  infected  through- 
out with  the  poison  ;  as  suckers  from  such  a  tree  will  always 
sooner  or  later  become  affected.  Buds  from  diseased  trees, 
placed  in  healthy  stocks,  soon  exhibit  the  excrescences.  But 
seedlings  or  suckers  from  a  healthy  tree  usually  escape,  un- 
less in  near  proximity  to  unhealthy  trees. 

The  remedy  for  this  disease  is  certain  and  efficient,  if 
vigilantly  applied.  It  consists  in  cutting  off  and  burning 
all  the  excrescences  as  soon  after  their  first  appearance  as 
practicable.  As  the  poison  spreads,  it  is-  desirable  to  re- 
move the  wood  of  the  branches  some  inches  from  the  appa- 
rently affected  parts.  If  the  tumors,  however,  break  out  on 
the  trunk  or  main  limbs,  it  may  be  difficult  to  do  this  with- 
out cutting  away  the  whole  tree.  As  much  of  the  wood  is 
therefore  to  be  cut  out  as  may  exhibit  the  least  indication  of 
disease  ;  and  the  wound  washed  with  a  solution  of  copperas, 
as  recommended  and  successfully  practiced  by  Downing,  or 
with  strong  brine,  as  found  beneficial  by  Dr.  Harris  and 
others.  The  only  instances  where  the  remedy  has  failed,  is 
where  it  has  been  but  very  partially  applied,  or  where  the 
disease  has  been  suffered  to  spread  for  a  time  unchecked. 
The  only  way  is  to  cut  and  continue  cutting,  so  long  as  any 
traces  remain.  This  will  be  found  to  check,  and  by  perse- 
verance, to  remove  the  disease.  As  a  general  but  not  uni- 
versal rule,  the  yellow  plums  are  not  so  liable  to  excrescen- 
ces as  purple  varieties,  unless  surrounded  by  diseased  trees. 

The  leaf-blight,  or  premature  casting  of  the  foliage,  proves 
in  some  seasons  a  serious  disaster  to  the  plum,  as  it  checks 
the  growth  of  the  shoots,  and  prevents  the  ripening  of  the 
fruit.  Occasionally  it  has  been  so  severe  as  to  spoil  entirely 
the  value  of  the  crop.  No  satisfactory  cause  has  been  as- 
signed for  ihis  malady,  other  than  the  want  of  proper  food 
in  the  soil,  and  among  the  successful  remedies  noticed,  is 


322  THE    PLUM. 

the  following,  on  the  authority  of  F.  R.  Elliott,  of  Cleve- 
land. "A  small  tree  of  the  Imperial  Ottoman,  six  feet 
high,  and  an  inch  and  a  half  in  diameter.  About  this 
I  placed  last  winter  nearly  two  bushels  of  leached  wood 
ashes,  and  this  entire  season,  (1848,)  the  foliage  has  kept 
full  and  of  good  color,  while  trees  all  around  and  within 
twenty  feet,  have  uniformly  cast  theirs."  The  use  of  salt 
as  a  manure  has  to  some  extent,  contributed  to  a  similar  re- 
sult, in  some  cases  quite  successfully. 

DRYING    PRUNES. 

An  article  of  considerable  commerce  is  furnished  by  the 
French  prunes,  or  dried  plums,  inported  into  this  country 
The  abundant  crops  of  the  plum  tree,  in  some  parts  ol 
our  country,  may  render  it  desirable  that  the  best  means 
of  drying  should  be  known.  By  a  selection  of  the  rich 
est  varieties,  there  is  no  doubt  that  prunes  superior  to 
those  of  foreign  preparation  might  be  easily  obtained.  The 
following  description  of  an  oven  purposely  built  for  prunes, 
and  doubtless  with  some  modifications,  well  adapted  to  the 
drying  of  other  fruits,  is  given  in  Liegel's  Treatise,  (Ger- 
man,) as  quoted  in  the  Horticulturist.  The  amount  of  heat 
obtained  by  a  small  quantity  of  fuel,  commends  it  to  tjie 
particular  attention  of  those  engaged  in  drying  fruit: 

"  Prunes,  says  Liegel,  have  become  an  important  article 
of  commerce.  In  order  to  have  them  fair  and  glossy,  they 
must  be  suddenly  cooled,  when  withdrawn  from  the  oven. 

"The  country  people  in  this  part  of  Germany,  prepare 
their  prunes  by  putting  them  into  their  bread  ovens.  I  have 
.put  up,  for  my  own  use,  a  very  conveniently  arranged  drying 
apparatus,  which,  after  the  experience  of  many  years,  I  am 
induced  to  recommend ;  and  for  the  construction  of  which  I 
give  the  annexed  drawing  and  explanatory  description. 

"  The  vault  or  exterior  of  the  oven,  four  and  a  half  feet 
long,  is  surrounded  by  a  brick  wall  one  foot  thick,  so  that 
the  whole  stove,  abed,  (see  figs.  247  and  248,)  is  exactly 
six  feet  every  way;  the  front  wall,  ?z,  being  only  half  a  foot 
in  thickness.  At  the  top,  the  vault  is  arched  over  with  six 
inches  of  brick  work  at  the  crown  of  the  arch.  The  flues 
*  a,  are  about  fourteen  inches  square.  The  hurdles  or  trays 
TO  m,  for  containing  the  prunes,  rest  upon  shelves  fixed 


THE    PLUM. 


323 


upon  two  bearers.  It  would  be  better  if  they  rested  upon 
rollers,  so  as  to  admit  of  their  being  pushed  in,  and  drawn 
out,  with  greater  ease.  These  lines  of  trays  are  placed  at 

a  distance  of  six  inches 
from  the  furnace,  so  as  to 
keep  the  fruit  from  too 
great  a  heat ;  they  may 
be  made  entirely  of  wood, 
but  it  will  be  better  if  the 
bottoms  are  of  open-work, 
like  sieves.  Their  weight 
is  such  that  they  may  be 
easily  managed  by  a  wo- 
man ;  but  in  preparing, 
prunes  on  a  large  scale, 
let  them  be  made  of  great- 
er length  and  breadth,  so 
as  to  just  come  within  the 
strength  of  a  more  robust 
Fi«'247-  person. 

"  The  wooden  frame,  h  h,  is  that  on  which  the  two  doors 
are  hung.     The  door,  g,  which  covers  the  arch,  (and  which 

is  represented  in  the  cut 
as  open  and  fastened  up,) 
shuts  up  the  front  of  the 
upper  part  of  the  oven. 
In  the  middle  of  this  up- 
per door  or  flap,  is  a 
round  vent  hole,  for  the 
escape  of  the  moist  va- 
por. Jft  is  an  iron  dam- 
per or  slide,  to  be  placed 
in  the  flue  at  Z  /,  in  order 
to  regulate  the  heat. 

"  A  thousand  fully  ripe 
Quetsches,  (prune  plums) 
make  about  ten  pounds 


Fig.  248. 


of  dried  prunes. 

"Plums  of  different 
kinds  may  be  dried,  either  whole,  or  deprived  of  their  skins 
and  stones.  In  the  latter  case,  they  are  styled  prunelles. 


524  THE    PLUM. 

When  the  White  Perdrigons  are  used  for  this  purpose,  they 
are  merely  stoned,  without  skinning;  the  latter,  from  the 
delicacy  of  their  skins,  not  being  deemed  necessary. 

"For  prunellvs,  perfectly  ripe  and  sweet  plums  are.  to  be 
taken,  and  suffered  to  wilt  a  little  in  the  open  air,  in  order 
o  facilitate  stripping  off'  the  peel.  A  better  and  more  ex- 
peditious way  is  to  pour  hot  water  over  them,  and  suffer 
them  to  steam  a  few  moments. 

"  The  stone  is  pressed  out  at  the  stem  end.  In  the  ctry-_ 
ing  ovens,  these  prunes  must  be  very  carefully  and  gradu- 
ally dried.  They  may  also  be  dried,  but  not  so  easily,  in 
the  sun." 


VARIETIES. 

SYNOPSIS    OF    ARRANGEMENT. 

DIVISION  I.     GREEN,  WHITE,  OR  YELLOW. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH  NEARLY  FREE  FROM  THE   STONE. 
Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section    II.     Fruit  of  medium  size. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  ADHERING  TO  THE  STONE. 
Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section    II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

DIVISION  II.     RED,  PURPLE,  OR  BLUE. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH  NEARLY  FREE  FROM  THE  STONE. 
Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section    II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  ADHERING  TO  THE  STONE. 
Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section    II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 


THE    PLUM.  325 


DIVISION  I.     GREEN,  WHITE,  OR  YELLOW. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH  NEARLY  FREE  FROM  THE  STONE. 
Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

Ghiston's  Early.  Large,  oval,  clear  yellow,  bloom  light ; 
flesh  yellow,  of  pleasant  flavor.  Resembles,  considerably, 
the  Yellow  Egg  plum,  but  the  flesh  is  free  from  the  stone. 
Rather  early,  or  a  fortnight  before  the  first  of  autumn. 

IMPERIAL  GAGE.  (Syn.  Flushing  Gage,  Prince's  Imperial 
Gage,  White  Gage,  of  Boston.)  Fruit  rather  large,  oval, 
suture  distinct ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slight- 
ly hairy,  evenly  sunk;  surface  green,  slightly  tinged  yel- 
low, with  marbled  green  stripes  ;  bloom  copious,  white  ; 
flesh  greenish,  juicy,  melting,  rich,  sometimes  adhering, 
but  usually  nearly  free  from  the  oval,  pointed  stone.  Ri- 
pens first  of  autumn.  Very  productive.  Shoots  lonjr, 
upright,  vigorous,  slightly  downy ;  leaves  with  a  slight 
shade  of  blue.  Often  insipid  on  heavy  soils.  A  single 
tree,  near  Boston,  yielded  fifty  dollars  of  fruit  in  one  year. 

JEFFERSON.  Large,  oval,  base  slightly  narrowed,  su- 
ture slight ;  greenish  yellow,  becoming  golden  yellow, 
often  faintly  reddened  to  the  sun,  bloom  thin,  white, 
stalk  an  inch  long,  surtk  little  or  none  ;  flesh  rich  yellow, 
moderately  fine-grained,  in  well  ripened  specimens  orange, 
very  juicy,  nearly  free  from  the  long,  pointed  stone;  fla- 
vor rich,  luscious,  excellent.  As  large  as  the  Washing- 
ton, and  though  inferior  to  the  Green  Gage  and  some 
others  in  flavor,  it  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  plums. 
Ripens  end  of  summer.  Origin,  Albany.  Shoots  smooth, 
growth  closely  resembles  Coe's  Golden  drop. 

LAWRENCE'S  FAVORITE.  (Syn.  Lawrence  Gage.)  Large, 
roundish,  sl'ghtly  oblong-oval,  obtuse  ;  surface  dull  yel- 
lowish-green, clouded  darker  ;  bloom  light,  blueish-green  ; 
base,  when  ripe,  with  a  brownish-red  net-work  and  dots  ; 
stalk  half  an  inch  long,  small,  cavity  narrow;  flesh, 
greenish,  melting,  juicy,  rich,  excellent;  next  to  the 
Green  Gage  in  quality.  Shoots  short,  rather  upright, 


326 


TIIE   PLUM. 


THE   PLUM.  327 

downy;  leaves  small,  dark  green.  Rather  early  or  a 
fortnight  before  the  first  of  autumn.  Origin,  Hudson, 
New- York. 

WASHINGTON.  (Syn.  Bolmar,  Bolmar's  Washington.) 
Large,  often  very  large,  roundish-oval,  suture  obscure, 
distinct  at  base  ;  surface  yellowish-green  faintly  marbled, 
often  with  a  pale  red  blush ;  stalk  one-half  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slightly  downy;  cavity  wide, 
shallow,  flesh  rather  firm,  sweet,  mild,  moderately  rich, 
free  from  the  pointed  stone.  Rather  early,  or  the  last  fort- 
night of  summer.  Shoots  downy,  very  vigorous,  leaves 
very  large.  Origin,  New- York  city.  This  variety,  al- 
though not  high  in  flavor,  is  a  general  favorite  for  its  free 
growth,  great  productiveness,  beauty,  fine  texture,  and 
adaptedness  to  all  soils. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Albany  Beauty.  (Syn.  Denniston's  Albany  Beauty.)  Size 
medium  or  rather  small,  roundish  oval,  with  a  slight  neck 
at  base,  suture  obscure ;  surface  pale  whitish  green,  pur- 
ple dots  numerous,  bloom  thin ;  stalk  an  inch  or  more 
long,  slender,  scarcely  sunk  ;  flesh  yellow,  moderately 
juicy,  rich,  sweet,  free  from  the  small,  pointed  stone 
Ripens  the  last  week  in  summer.  Shoots  slightly  downy 
Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y.  New. 

Apricot.  (Syn.  French  Apricot.)  Size  medium  or  rathei 
large  ;  roundish,  suture  deep  ;  stalk  scarcely  half  an  inch 
long ;  surface  yellow,  dotted  and  tinged  with  red  in  the 
sun  ;  bloom  white  ;  flesh  yellow,  rather  firm,  slightly  bit- 
ter, becoming,  when  ripe,  melting,  juicy,  and  pleasant. 
Rather  early.  Shoots  quite  downy. 

The  English  Apricot  plum  is  a  third-rate,  clingstone,  oval 
fruit,  with  smooth  shoots. 

Autumn  Gage.  (Syn.  Roe's  Autumn  Gage.)  Size  medium, 
ovate,  slightly  conical ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long, 
not  sunk  ;  surface  pale  yellow,  bloom  thin,  whitish ;  fiesh 
greenish-yellow,  juicy,  sweet,  delicate,  pleasant,  free 
from  the  long,  pointed,  compressed  stone.  Leaves  point- 
ed, shoots  smooth,  spreading.  Ripens  rather  late.  Growth 
very  slow.  Very  productive.  Origin,  Newburgh,  N.  Y 


328  THE  PLUM. 

BLEECKER'S  GAGE.  Size  medium;  roundish-oval,  regular, 
suture  obscure ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  rather  stout,  downy, 
slightly  sunk ;  skin  yellow,  with  sunken  white  specks ; 
bloom  thin,  white ;  flesh  yellow,  rich,  sweet,  luscious, 
partly  free  from  the  pointed  stone.  Ripens  at  the  end  of 
summer.  Shoots  downy.  Distinguished  from  Prince's 
Yellow  Gage  by  its  larger  stalk  and  later  maturity. 
Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

Jlennistori's  Superb.  Size  medium;  round,  obscurely  oval, 
slightly  flattened,  suture  distinct ;  surface  pale  yellowish- 
green,  slightly  dotted  and  clouded  with  purple,  bloom 
thin,  stalk  rough,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  moderate- 
ly sunk  ;  flesh  thick,  (stone  smalPj  not  juicy,  rich,  vinous, 
free  from  the  thick,  roundish  stone.  Ripens  rather  early, 
or  last  fortnight  of  summer.  Resembles  Green  Gage, 
rather  larger,  earlier,  and  not  so  good.  Shoots  downy. 
Very  productive.  Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y.  One  of  the 
handsomest  of  plums. 

HUDSON  GAGE.  Size  medium.;  oval,  suture  obscure,  one 
side  slightly  larger ;  surface  yellow,  clouded  or  streaked 
faint  green,  bloom  thin,  white  ;  stalk  about  two-thirds  of 
an  inch  long,  moderately  sunk;  flesh  greenish,  juicy, 
melting,  rich,  sprightly,  excellent,  nearly  free  from  the 
small  stone.  Ripens  two  weeks  earlier  than  Washington, 
and  three  weeks  before  Imperial  Gage,  which  it  partly 
resembles.  Origin,  Hudson,  N.  Y. 

REINE  CLAUDE  DE  BAVAY.  Round-oval,  greenish-yellow, 
spotted  with  red,  with  small,  violet-colored  longitudinal 
veins  ;  flesh  rather  firm,  juicy,  sugary,  rich,  of  fine  quali- 
ty, adhering  slightly  to  the  stone.  Shoots  smooth,  leaves 
roundish,  shining, — the  growth  resembling  Washinton, 
but  leaves  smaller  and  shoots  slenderer.  Very  productive. 
Origin,  Malines,  in  Belgium.  New. 

Coe's  Golden  Drop  has  been  disseminated  to  some  extent 
for  this  variety. 

ST.  MARTIN'S  QUETSCHE.  Size  medium ;  ovate,  broadest 
at  base;  surface  pale  yellow;  often  spotted  with  brown; 
bloom  white  ;  flesh  yellowish,  very  juicy,  rich,  excellent, 
Ripens  at  mid-autumn,  and  keeps  long.  Shoots  smooth. 


THE   PLUM.  329 

A  profuse  bearer.    One  of  the  best  late  plums.  Profitable. 
German.     New. 

White  Imperatrice.  (Syn.  White  Empress,  Imperatrice 
Blanche.)  Size  medium,  obovate,  slightly  flattened  at 
ends,  suture  rather  obscure ;  surface  bright  yellow,  with 
red  dots  to  the  sun,  bloom  very  thin ;  stalk  half  to  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow;  flesh  crisp,  juicy, 
translucent,  free  from  the  small  oblong  stone.  Season 
medium,  or  early  in  autumn.  Resembles  St.  Catherine, 
but  differs  in  being  a  freestone,  and  inferior  in  quality. 
Shoots  smooth.  But  little  known  in  this  country. 

Yellow  Gage,  Prince's.  (Syn.  American  Yellow  Gage.) 
Size  medium  ;  oval,  slightly  broadest  at  base ;  suture  a 
mere  line  ;  surface  golden  yellow,  slightly  clouded  ;  bloom 
white,  copious ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  small,  round ; 
flesh  deep  yellow,  rich,  sugary,  melting,  sometimes  rather 
dry.  Ripens  early  in  8  mo.,  (Aug.)  shoots  smooth,  short- 
jointed,  leaves  glossy,  tree  becoming  spreading.  Origin, 
Flushing,  L.  I. 

This  is  wholly  distinct  from  the  English-  Yellow  Gage  of 
the  next  section. 

Section  III.     Fi-uit  Small. 

Drap  d'Or.  (Syn.  Yellow  Perdrigon,  Mirabelle  Grosse.) 
Rather  small,  round,  suture  indistinct,  apex  dimpled  ; 
stalk  half  an  inch  long,  slender  ;  surface  golden  yellow, 
sometimes  a  few  crimson  dots  to  the  sun  ;  flesh  yellow, 
sweet,  rich,  often  half  dry,  partly  adhering  to  the  stone ; 
ripens  a  week  before  the  Green  Gage.  Shoots  slightly 
downy,  growth  slow.  Not  so  good  as  Morocco,  but  bears 
better. 

GREEN  GAGE.  (Syn.  Reine  Claude',  Bruyn  Gage.)  Ra- 
ther small ;  round  ;  suture  faint ;  surface  green,  becom- 
ing yellowish  green,  usually  with  reddish  brown  dots  and 
network  at  base  ;  stalk  half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  scarcely  sunk;  flesh  pale  green;  melting,  juicy, 
exceedingly  sweet  and  rich,  and  unequalled  in  flavor. 
Ripens  about  the  middle  of  8mo.,  (Aug.)  shoots  smooth, 


330  THE    PLUM. 

buds  with  large  shoulders,  growth  slow,  and  young  trees 
difficult  to  raise  in  most  localities.  French.  Old. 

There  are  many  seedlings,  inferior  to  the  original,  and  ma- 
ny worthless  green  plums  called  by  this  name.  F.  R. 
Elliott,  one  of  the  best  informed  pomologists  of  Ohio,  says 
that  he  knows  of  but  one  or  two  genuine  bearing  trees 
in  that  State. 

The  Schuyler  Gage,  of  Albany,  is  a  sub-variety,  closely  re- 
sembling the  Green  Gage. 

IMPERIAL  OTTOMAN.  Nearly  medium  in  size,  oval,  suture 
on  one  side  half  way  from  base  to  apex ;  somewhat  pel- 
lucid ;  surface  pale  greenish-yellow,  marbled  ;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  downy,-  slender,  curved, 
scarcely  sunk  ;  surface  dull  yellow,  clouded  darker,  bloom 
thin  ;  flesh  very  juicy,  sweet,  excellent,  scarcely  adhering 
to  the  pointed  stone.  Quite  early,  or  two  or  three  weeks 
after  midsummer.  Great  bearer.  Nearly  or  quite  as 
early  as  Drap  d'Or,  and  much  better.  Shoots  slightly 
downy ;  tree  hardy,  succeeds  well  as  far  north  as  Maine. 

Mirabelle.  Very  small,  obovate,  suture  distinct ;  stalk  half 
an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk  ;  surface  a  fine  yellow,  slight- 
ly spotted  with  red,  bloom  white  ;  flesh  orange,  sprightly, 
becoming  dry.  Ripens  with  the  Green  Gage.  Shoots 
downy,  tree  small.  A  small,  beautiful,  second-rate  plum, 
very  productive,  and  valued  for  preserving.  Its  seed- 
lings are  used  as  stocks  for  dwarf  plums. 

Primordian.  (Syn.  Jaune  Hative,  or  Early  Yellow,  "White 
Primordian.)  Small,  obovate,  necked ;  suture  small ; 
stalk  slender,  downy,  half  an  inch  long ;  pale  clear  yel- 
low, bloom  thin;  flesh  yellowish,  moderately  juicy,  with 
a  rather  sweet  mild  good  flavor  ;  very  free  from  the  stone. 
The  earliest  plum,  ripening  before  midsummer.  Shoots 
quite  slender,  very  downy,  growth  slow,  and  young  trees 
difficult  to  raise. 

Yellow  Gage,  English.  (Syn.  Little  Queen  Claude.)  Small, 
round,  suture  on  one  side  distinct;  surface  pale  yellow- 
ish green,  becoming  yellow,  with  a  few  reddish  dots, 
bloom  dense;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  slender,  slightly 
sunk;  flesh  very  sweet,  pleasant,  quite  free  from  the 


THE    PLUM.  331 

stone.     Ripens   nearly   with   the  Green  Gage.     Shoots 
long,  smooth.     Of  French  origin. 

CLASS  II.     FLESH  ADHERING  TO  THE  STONE. 
Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

JSueVs  Favorite.      Rather  large,  ovate,  broadest  at   base 
suture  distinct  half  round ;  stalk  two  thirds  of  an  inch 

Fig.  256—Primordian.  Fig.  257—  White  Damson. 


Fig.  258— Cos's  Golden  Drop.  Fig.  259— Huling's  Superb. 

long,  rather  stout,  little  sunk ;  surface  pale  green,  thick- 
ly sprinkled  with  lighter  dots,  base  with  reddish  specks ; 
flesh  greenish-yellow,  rather  firm,  juicy,  rich,  high  flavor- 
ed, adhering  to  the  long  pointed  stone.  Ripens  at  the 
close  of  summer.  Shoots,  smooth,  reddish.  Origin, 
Albany,  N.  Y.  New. 

BINGHAM.     Large,  (an  inch  and  three-fourths  long,)  oval, 
rather  widest  at  base  ;  surface  deep  yellow,  with  rich  red 


332  THE    PLTJM. 

spots  to  tne  sun  ;  stalk  slightly  sunk  ;  flesh  yellow,  juicy, 
rich,  delicious.  Season  of  ripening  inedium,  or  end  of  sum- 
mer and  first  of  autumn.  Shoots  downy.  Handsome, 
productive,  and  valuable.  Origin,  Pennsylvania. 

COE'S  GOLDEN  DROP.  Very  large,  (often  more  than  two 
inches  long,)  oval,  suture  distinct,  one  side  more  enlarg- 
ed, necked ;  light  yellow,  often  dotted  red  to  the  sun  ; 
stalk  three  fourths  of  an  inch  long,  rather  stiff;  flesh 
yellowish,  rather  firm,  rich,  sweet,  not  fine  grained,  close- 
ly adhering  to  the  pointed  stone.  Quite  late,  does  not 
always  ripen  at  the  north — requires  a  long  season.  An 
excellent  late  sort,  of  English  origin.  Shoots  smooth,  ra- 
ther glossy. 

HULING'S  SUPERB.  Large,  often  quite  large,  round  ovate, 
suture  shallow,  indistinct ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  stout, 
slightly  sunk  ;  skin  dull  greenish-yellow ;  bloom  pale, 
thin;  flesh  rather  firm  ;  flavor  rich,  brisk,  excellent.  Ri- 
pens latter  part  of  summer.  Shoots  thick,  vigorous,  dow- 
ny, leaves  very  large.  A  moderate  bearer.  Origin,  Pa. 

Large  Green  Drying.  (Syn.  Knight 's  Large  Drying.) 
Large,  round,  greenish-yellow,  flesh  yellowish,  moderate- 
ly juicy,  rich.  Rather  late.  English. 

Mc'Laughlin.  Rather  large,  roundish,  oblate,  much  flatten- 
ed at  ends,  suture  obscure  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  scarcely  sunk  ;  skin  thin,  tender,  russet-yel- 
low, sprinkled  with  thin  red,  purplish  at  base ;  flesh  ra- 
ther firm,  juicy,  sweet,  luscious.  Ripens  at  the  end  of 
summer.  Growth  vigorous,  leaves  large,  glossy,  shoots 
smooth.  Origin,  Bangor,  Maine,  where  it  succeeds  well 
as  is  very  fine.  New. 

Mulberry,  Large,  oval,  tapering  with  a  neck  to  the  base, 
suture  slight.;  pale  dull  yellow,  with  a  few  crimson  dots ; 
bloom  thin  ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  slender,  scarcely  sunk  on 
the  obtuse  point  of  the  neck;  flesh  greenish  yellow,  rather 
coarse,  melting,  rich,  adhering  to  the  large,  oblong, 
pointed  stone.  Ripens  the  first  of  autumn.  Shoots  stout. 
Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y.  New. 


THE   PLUM.  333 

White  Egg.  (Syn.  White  Magnum  Bonum,  White  Impe- 
rial.) Very  large,  oval,  narrow  at  ends,  necked  at  base, 
suture  distinct ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  not  sunk,  surrounded 
by  a  fleshy  ring  at  insertion ;  skin  light  yellow,  bloom 
thin,  white  ;  flesh  firm,  coarse,  acid,  becoming  sweeter 
by  ripening,  adhering  closely  to  the  long,  pointed  stone. 
Ripens  about  the  end  of  summer. 

The  Yellow  Egg  is  very  similar  in  character,  but  the  flesh 
partly  separates  from  the  stone  when  fully  ripe.  There 
appear  to  be  several  sub-varieties. 

T.  Rivers,  of  Sawbridgeworth,  England,  says  the  Yellow 
Magnum  Bonum  is  an  American  plum  of  extreme  hardi- 
ness— good,  but  not  first  rate — flesh  clings — and  bears 
more  freely  than  "  our  old  White  Magnum  Bonum." 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Dana's  Yellow  Gage.  Size  medium,  oval,  pale  yellow, 
marbled  with  darker  green,  bloom  very  thin  :  flesh  juicy, 
lively.  Season  medium.  Very  productive.  Hardy. 
Mass. 

Downton  Imperatrice.  Size  medium,  oval,  base  tapered  or 
with  a  neck ;  skin  thin,  pale  yellow ;  flesh  yellow,  melt- 
ing, acid,  becoming  rather  sweet ;  ripens  late,  or  two 
weeks  before  mid-autumn.  Shoots  smooth,  long,  strong, 
upright.  For  preserving.  A  cross  of  the  White  Egg 
and  Blue  Imperatrice. 

Emerald  Drop.  Size  medium,  long  oval,  suture  deep,  one 
side  larger ;  skin  pale  yellowish-green,  dull  green  in  the 
shade  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk ; 
flesh  juicy,  rather  rich,  of  second-rate  quality,  adhering 
to  the  long  pointed  stone. 

Lucombe's  Nonsuch.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish; 
skin  yellowish-green  with  yellowish-orange,  bloom  whi- 
tish ;  suture  broad  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long, 
cavity  wide  ;  flesh  rather  firm,  rich,  sweet  with  acid. 
Resembles  the  Green  Gage,  but  larger,  more  marked 
with  yellow,  and  much  inferior  in  flavor.  English. 

St  Catherine.  Size  medium,  obovate,  suture  very  distinct, 
passing  half  round ;  skin  pale  yellow,  sometimes  slightly 


THE     PLUM 

reddish  to  the  sun,  bloom  thin,  white  ;  stalk  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long,  very  slender,  tlightly  sunk ;  flesh  juicy, 
rather  firm,  rich,  fine,  often  nearly  or  quite  first-rate  in 
flavor.  Ripens  rather  late.  Shoots  smooth,  rather  slen- 
der. 

White  Perdrigon.  Size  medium,  oval,  narrow  at  base  ; 
skin  pale  greenish-yellow,  with  white  dots,  and  red  dots 
to  the  sun ;  bloom  thin  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  slender;  flesh  very  sweet,  slightly  perfumed,  of  fine 
flavor.  Ripens  about  the  end  of  summer. 

Section  HI.     Fruit  small. 

Byfield.  Small,  round,  suture  a  mere  line  ;  stalk  half  an 
inch  long,  pavity  even ;  skin  light  yellow,  with  red  spots 
at  base  ;  flesh  yellow,  adhering  to  the  thick  stone.  Rather 
early.  Shoots  smooth. 

White  or  Yellow  Damson.  (Syn.  Late  Yellow  Damson.) 
Small,  (one  inch  long,)  oval,  pale  yellow,  dotted  with  red- 
dish-brown ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  downy,  not  sunk  ; 
flesh  rich,  sub-acid,  agreeable;  ripens  very  late,  hanging 
long  on  the  tree.  Shoots  smooth,  growth  free  ;  tree  very 
productive. 


DIVISION  II.     RED,  PURPLE,  OR  BLUE. 

CLASS  I.     FLESH  NEARLY  FREE  FROM  THE  STONE. 
Section  I.     fruit  large. 

COLUMBIA.  (Syn.  Columbian  Gage.)  Very  large,  nearly 
globular,  one  side  slightly  larger ;  skin  brownish  purple, 
reddish-brown  where  much  shaded,  with  many  fawn- 
colored  dots ;  bloom  blue,  copious ;  stalk  one  inch  long, 
rather  stout;  cavity  small ;  flesh  orange,  moderately  juicy, 
rich,  rather  coarse,  free  from  the  small,  compressed  stone, 
or  adhering  at  the  edge  ;  flavor  good,  dot  first-rate.  Fruit 
liable  to  rot.  Season  medium,  or  end  of  summer.  Shoots 
downy,  stout,  blunt,  spreading,  leaves  nearly  round.  Popu- 


THE    PLUM.  335 

lar  from  its  large  size,  handsome   appearance,   and  great 
productiveness.     Origin,  Hudson,  N.  Y. 

Diamond.  Very  large,  oval,  black  ;  bloom  blue  ;  stalk  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ;  flesh  coarse, 
slightly  dry,  somewhat  acid,  free  from  the  long  pointed 
slone  ;  flavor  poor.  Shoots  long,  downy.  Prolific,  but 
coarse,  and  only  fit  for  cooking. 

German  Prune  or  Quetsche.  Large,  long-oval,  curved  or 
swollen  on  one  side,  with  a  long  tapering  neck  at  base ; 
suture  distinct ;  skin  purple,  with  a  thick  blue  bloom  ; 
stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  slightly  sunk; 
flesh  green,  firm,  sweet,  pleasant,  free  from  the  very  long, 
flat,  slightly  curved  or  lunate  stone  ;  flavor  second-rate — 
valuable  for  drying  and  preserving.  Rather  late.  Shoots 
smooth.  There  are  several  sub-varieties. 

Mannings  Long  Blue.  (Syn.  Large  Long  Blue,  Manning's 
Long  Blue  Prune.)  Large,  long-oval,  slightly  one-sided, 
suture  obscure;  stalk  very  long,  slender,  scarcely  sunk ; 
skin  dark  purple,  bloom  thick,  blue  ;  flesh  firm,  rather 
juicy,  nearly  free  from  the  long,  pointed  stone.  Rather 
late,  ripens  gradually.  Shoots  smooth.  Tree  very  pro- 
ductive. 

PEACH  PLUM.  (Syn.  Prune  Peche.)  Very  large,  roundish- 
oblate,  regular,  flattened  at  ends,  suture  distinct,  shallow; 
color  varying  from  salmon  to  light-brownish  red;  stalk 
very  short,  cavity  narrow,  shallow;  flesh  rather  coarse, 
juicy,  sprightly,  free  from  the  nearly  round,  very  flat, 
much  furrowed  stone.  Shoots  smooth.  Quality  not  very 
high,  but  esteemed  for  its  large  size,  handsome  appear- 
ance, and  e'arly  ripening.  Matures  about  ten  days  before 
the  Washington.  Shoots  smooth,  vigorous. 

RED  DIAPER.  ($yn.  Diapree  Rouge,  Mimms,  Imperial 
Diadem.)  Large,  obovate,  somewhat  necked  ;  skin  red- 
dish-purple, with  a  few  yellowish  specks,  bloom  light 
blue;  stalk  three  fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slender,  slightly 
hairy,  little  sunk;  flesh  pale  green,  juicy,  melting,  rich, 
of  fine,  but  hardly  of  the  highest  flavor;  free  from  the  quite 

15 


338  THE    PLUM. 

small  stone.     Season  medium  or  end  of  summer.     Shoots 
nearly  smooth ;  growth  slow. 

Red  Magnum  Bonum.  (Syn.  Purple  Egg,  Red  Imperial, 
Purple  Magnum  Bonum,  Imperial  Violet,  Red  Egg.) 
Larne,  oval,  tapering  to  the  stalk,  suture  strong,  one  side 
swollen  ;  surface  deep  red  in  the  sun  ;  bloom  thin;  stalk 

Fig.  SGO-Coe's  Late  Red 


Fig.  261— Red  Diaper.  Fig.  262— Peach  Plum. 

an  inch  long,  slender,  cavity  narrow ;  flesh  greenish, 
coarse,  firm,  sub-acid ;  valuable  only  for  cooking.  Sea- 
son medium.  Shoots  smooth.  Some  sub-varieties  are 
clingstones. 

Sharp's  Emperor.  Quite  large,  roundish-oval ;  skin  a  bright 
red,  paler  in  the  shade,  bloom  delicate ;  flesh  deep  yel- 
low, pleasant,  moderately  rich.  Very  productive.  Shoots 
strong,  downy,  leaves  large.  English.  New. 


THE    PLUM.  337 

Thomas.  Large,  round-oval,  slightly  irregular,  somewhat 
compressed  on  the  suture ;  skin  salmon  color,  with  a  soft 
red  cheek,  and  numerous  dots;  stalk  hairy,  one-half  to 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  stout ;  cavity  small,  narrow; 
flesh  pale  yellow,  somewhat  coarse,  mild,  pleasant,  free 
from  the  very  light-colored  stone.  Shoots  slightly  downy. 
Productive.  Season,  medium.  Origin,  Boston. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

COE'S  LATE  RED,  or  RED  ST.  MARTIN.  (Syn.  St.  Martin, 
Saint  Martin  Rouge.)  Size  medium,  roundish,  suture  dis- 
tinct on  one  side,  skin  light  purplish  red,  bloom  thin,  blue; 
stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk  ;  flesh 
rather  firm,  crisp,  rich,  vinous.  Very  late,  productive, 
shoots,  downy.  A  valuable  late  plum. 

Corse's  Not  a  Bene.  Rather  large,  round,  surface  pale  lilac 
brown,  often  dull  green  in  the  shade  ;  bloom  light  blue, 
copious ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  round,  flesh 
greenish,  rather  firm,  crisp,  rich  vinous.  Very  late,  very 
productive,  shoots  downy.  A  valuable  late  plum. 

Cruger's  Scarlet.  (Syn.  Cruger's,  Cruger's  Seedling.) 
Medium,  approaching  small,  roundish  oval,  suture  obscure; 
surface  lively  red  or  bright  lilac,  with  numerous  yellow 
dots,  pale  fawn  color  in  the  shade,  bloom  thin,  blueish ; 
stalk  half  an  inch  long,  cavity  shallow  ;  flesh  deep  orange, 
moderately  juicy,  mild,  agreeable,  not  rich,  good.  Sea- 
son, medium.  Shoots  downy.  Hardy,  adapted  to  light 
soils,  very  productive.  Origin,  New-York. 

Dennistorfs  Red.  Medium  or  rather  large,  roundish  oval, 
narrowed  to  the  stalk ;  suture  passing  half  round  ;  sur- 
face a  fine  light  red,  with  fawn  colored  dots ;  bloom  very 
thin  ;  stalk  very  long,  slender,  little  sunk ;  flesh  amber- 
colored,  rich,  good  second  rate,  free  from  the  small,  oval, 
compressed  stone.  Season  medium,  or  last  of  summer. 
Shoots  smooth.  Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  probably  from 
a  seed  of  the  Lombard  or  Bleecker's  Scarlet. 

Fotheringham.  Size  medium,  obovate,  suture  distinct ;  skin 
purple  in  the  sun,  reddish  in  the  shade,  bloom  T>ale  blue  ; 


333  THE    PLUM. 

stalk  an  inch  long  ;  flesh  pale  greenish-yellow,  juicy, 
sprightly,  moderately  rich.  Rather  early.  Shoots  smooth 
English.'  Old. 

Holland.  (Syn.  Blue  Holland,  Holland  Prune.)  Round, 
slightly  flattened,  blue  or  light  reddish-purple,  bloom 
blue;  cavity  small ;  flesh  juicy,  melting,  sweet,  pleasant 
Season  medium  or  rather  late,  hangs  long.  Shoots  dow 
ny. 

Horse  Plum.  (Syn.  Large  Early  Damson.)  Size  medium, 
oval,  suture  deep  on  one  side  ;  skin  purple,  bloom  blue ; 
flesh  greenish-yellow,  rather  dry,  acid,  flavor  poor.  Sea- 
son medium.  Shoots  downy.  Common. 

Isabella.  Medium  in  size  or  large,  oval,  slightly  narrowed 
to  the  base ;  skin  dark  dull  red,  dotted  darker  ;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  a  little  hairy,  cavity  mode- 
rate ;  flesh  yellow,  rich,  juicy,  and  slightly  adhering  to 
the  pointed  stone.  Shoots  quite  downy.  Season  medi- 
um. English. 

Italian  Damask.  Size  medium,  nearly  round,  slightly  flatten- 
ed at  base ;  suture  distinct,  passing  from  base  to  apex  ; 
surface  violet,  becoming  brown ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long, 
slender,  cavity  small,  round;  flesh  yellowish-green,  firm, 
sweet,  high-flavored,  very  free  from  the  oval,  rather  thick 
stone.  Season  medium.  Shoots  smooth. 

Kirlce?s.  Size  medium,  round,  suture  small  ;  skin  dark 
purple,  bloom  thin,  blue  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  cavity  slight,  flesh  greenish-yellow,  firm,  rich,  free 
from  the  flat,  broad  stone.  Season  medium.  Shoots 
smooth.  Resembles  the  Purple  Gage  externally.  Often 
spurious.  English. 

Morocco.  (Syn.  Italian  Damask,  erroneously,  Early  Morocco, 
Black  Morocco,  Early  Damask,  Black  Damask.)  Size  me- 
dium, roundish,  slightly  flattened  at  ends  ;  suture  on 
one  side  only,  shallow,  skin  dark  purple,  bloom  pale, 
thin  ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  rather  stout ;  flesh  greenish- 
yellow,  adhering  slightly  to  the  stone,  rich,  rather  acid, 
becoming  sweet.  Not  first-rate,  but  valuable  for  its  ear- 
liness,  ripening  ten  days  before  the  Washington.  Shoots 
downy.  A  moderate  bearer. 


TUB   PLUM.  T39 

Orleans.  (Syn.  Old  Orleans,  Red  Damask,  Monsieur.) 
Size  medium,  round,  suture  distinct,  slightly  larger  on 
one  side ;  skin  dark  red,  purple  in  the  sun  ;  stalk  one- 
half  to  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  wide ;  flesh 
yellowish,  sweet  mixed  with  acid,  of  second  quality  in 
richness,  pleasant  and  good  ;  a  fine  culinary  variety.  Ra- 
er  early.  Shoots  downy.  There  are  two  or  three  sub- 
varieties. 

ORLEANS,  EARLY.  (Syn.  New  Orleans,  Hampton  Court, 
Monsieur  Hatif.)  Size  medium,  round  oval,  suture  shal- 
low, stalk  half  an  inch  long,  stout  or  longer  and  slender  ; 
cavity  moderate  ;  skin  reddish  purple,  slightly  marbled ; 
flesh  yellowish-green,  rather  rich.  Quite  early,  or  -ten 
days  before  the  preceding. 

Wilmot's  Orleans  scarcely  differs  from  the  Early  Orleans. 

Pond's  Seedling.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  purple,  stalk 
short,  flesh  yellowish,  rather  dry,  sweet  with  acid,  flavor 
moderate,  second  or  third  rate.  Early.  Shoots  downy, 
Origin,  Boston. 

Prince  of  Wales,  Chapman's.  Oval,  bright  purplish  pink, 
with  a  dense  bloom ;  flesh  pale  amber,  free  from  the 
stone  ;  shoots  vigorous,  smooth,  leaves  broad,  roundish 
Productive.  English.  New. 

Prune  d'Agen  or  Agen  Date.  Size  medium,  obovate,  flat- 
tened one  side ;  skin  purple,  bloom  blue ;  stalk  short, 
flesh  greenish-yellow,  sweet.  Very  late,  profusely  pro- 
ductive. Shoots  su:ooth,  leaves  narrow.  French.  Cu- 
linary. 

PURPLE  FAVORITE.  Size  medium,  or  rather  large,  round 
obovate  ;  suture  obsolete  ;  skin  brownish  purple ;  bloom 
thin,  light  blue  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long 
scarcely  sunk  ;  flesh  pale  greenish,  juicy,  tender,  melting, 
rich,  sweet,  excellent,  free  from  the  very  small,  roundish 
stone.  Season  about  medium,  or  last  week  of  summer. 
Shoots  nearly  smooth,  short-jointed,  growth  slow,  much  re- 
sembling thatof  the  Red  Diaper.  Origin,  Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

PURPLE  GAGE.  (Syn.  Reine  Claude  Violette,  Violet 
Queen  Claude.)  Size  medium,  roundish,  slightly  flat- 


340 


THE    PLUM. 


tened  at  ends,  suture  distinct,  shallow ;  surface  violet, 
bloom  light  blue ;  stalk  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ; 
flesh  rather  firm,  greenish  yellow,  rich,  sugary,  of  very 
high  and  excellent  flavor,  free  from  the  oval,  compressed 

Fig.  260— Early  Royal.  Fig.  260— Red  Gage. 


Fig.  262 — Purple  Favorite.  Fig.  263 — Royal. 

stone.  Ripens  rather  late,  hanging  long,  and  slightly 
shrivelling  on  the  tree.  Shoots  smooth,  resembling  those 
of  the  Green  Gage.  A  spurious  sort  is  often  dissemi- 
nated. 

Red  Apricot.  (Syn.  Abricotee  Rouge.)  Size  medium, 
oval,  flattened  at  ends ;  stalk  nearly  an  inch  long,  cavity 
slight ;  skin  clear  red  in  the  shade,  violet  in  the  sun  ; 
bloom  blue,  copious  ;  flesh  orange,  sweetish,  rather  dry 
and  insipid.  Season  medium.  Shoots  smooth.  French. 

RED  GAGE.  Medium  or  rather  small,  round-ovate,  brown- 
ish-red, stalk  rather  slender,  cavitv  narrow;  flesh  green- 


THE    PLUM.  34 

ish-amber,  juicy,  melting,  rich,  mild  sweet,  free  from  the 
small  stone  ;  flavor  unusually  pleasant  and  refreshing 
Rather  early.  Shoots  dark  reddish,  smooth  ;  leaves  o 

E>ung    trees   deep   green,    crimpled.     Origin,  Flushing 
ong  Island, 

Red  Perdrigon.     Medium  in  size,  roundish,  slightly  oval 
skin  deep  red ;  bloom  thick,  lilac  ;  stalk  an   inch  long 
cavity  small,  round ;  flesh  bright  yellow,   slightly  crisp 
juicy,  sweet.     Season    medium  or  rather   late.     Shoots 
downy. 

ROYALE.  (Syn.  Royal,  La  Royale.)  Size  medium,  some 
times  rather  large,  round,  slightly  narrower  towards  the 
base,  or  approaching  obovate  ;  suture  distinct  on  one  side 
at  apex;  skin  reddish-purple,  bloom  very  thick;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ;  flesh  dull 
yellow,  rather  firm,  melting,  juicy,  rich,  of  excellent  fla- 
vor. Ripens  first  of  autumn.  Shoots  very  downy,  growth 
slow,  tree  spreading,  moderately  productive.  French. 

ROYALE  HATIVE,  or  "£AKLY  ROYAL."  (Syn.  Mirian.)  Size 
medium,  roundish,  slightly  wider  at  base ;  skin  light 
purple,  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  stout,  scarcely  sunk ;  flesh 
amber  yellow,  with  a  rich,  high  flavor,  nearly  free  from 
the  small,  flattened,  ovate  stone.  Very  early.  Resembles 
Purple  Gage,  but  a  month  earlier.  Shoots  very  downy. 
French.  New.  Rare. 

De  Montfort,  according  to  Rivers,  is  much  like  Royale  Ha- 
tive,  but  larger,  and  later. 

Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

Blue  Gage.  (Syn.  Azure  Hative,  Black  Perdrigon.)  Small, 
round,  dark  blue,  bloom  light  blue ;  stalk -three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long  ;  flesh  greenish,  juicy,  sub-acid,  pleasant ; 
rather  early,  shoots  slender,  downy  ;  tree  very  productive. 
Different  varieties  appear  to  be  described  by  Prince,  Coxe, 
and  Downing,  under  this  name,  none  of  which  are  high- 
ly commended. 

C.heston.  (Syn.  Violet  Diaper.)  Rather  small,  oval,  dark 
purple  ;  bloom  blue  ;  stalk  quite  short,  not  sunk  ;  flesh 
firm,  sweetish,  pleasant;  early;  shoots  downy. 


342  THE    PLUM. 


Damson.     (Syn.   Common  Darnson,  Early  Damson, 

Damson,  Blue  Damson.)  Small,  oval,  (an  inch  long,) 
purple,  bloom  thick,  blue  ;  melting,  juicy,  sub-acid,  part- 
ly free  from  stone.  Early  autumn.  Profusely  productive. 

The  Sweet  Damson  is  less  acid.  The  Winter  Damson  is 
small,  round,  purple,  bloom  copious,  with  an  acid,  slight- 
ly astringent  flavor ;  it  bears  enormous  crops,  which  hang 
uninjured  till  late  in  autumn.  The  Damson  makes  good 
preserves.  There  are  several  sub-varieties. 

Elfrey.  Rather  small,  oval,  blue  ;  flesh  greenish,  very 
sweet,  dry,  firm,  very  free  from  the  stone;  shoots  smooth, 
leaves  glossy.  Very  productive.  Not  so  good  as  Or- 
leans. 

HOWELL'S  EARLY.  Kather  small,  oval,  .slightly  angular, 
suture  obsolete  ;  skin  light  brown,  often  greenish-yellow 
in  the  shade ;  bloom  thin,  blue  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of 
an  inch  long,  slender,  not  sunk  ;  flesh  amber-colored, 
juicy,  sweet,  perfumed,  free  from  the  small,  oval  stone. 
Quite  early,  ripening  a  little  before  the  Morocco  and  Ear- 
ly Orleans.  Shoots  slender,  grey,  downy  ;  tree  very  pro- 
ductive. Newburgh,  N.  Y. 

Judson.  Rather  small,  roundish,  slightly  oval,  base  a  little 
flattened,  suture  indistinct ;  surface  a  handsome  damask 
or  pink,  slightly  mottled  ;  stalk  one  inch  long,  slender, 
cavity  small,  rather  deep;  flesh  juicy,  rich,  vinous,  high- 
flavored,  free  from  the  rather  large  stone.  Ripens  a  few 
days  before  the  Green.  Gage.  Origin,  Lansingburgh,  N. 
Y.  New. 

Queen  Mother.  Small,  round,  an  inch  in  diameter,  dark 
purplish  red ;  stalk  half  an  inch  long  ;  flesh  yellowish, 
sweet,  rich,  free  from  the  quite  small  stone.  Rather  late 
Shoots  smooth,  growth,  rather  feeble. 

SCHENECTADY  CATHERINE.  Size  small  or  nearly  medium, 
roundish,  slightly  narrowed- to  the  apex;  suture  rather 
shallow  ;  skin  deep  purple-violet  in  the  shade,  slightly 
netted  on  the  sunny  side ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch 
long,  slender, cavity  deep,  narrow;  flesh  greenish-yellow, 
melting,  sweet,  rich,  excellent,  next  to  the  Green  Gage 


THE    PLUM.  343 

in  quality,  and  ripening  at  the  same  time.     Shoots  rather 
slender,  smooth.     Origin,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.     New. 
This  is  a  quite    distinct  variety,  often  reproducing  itself 
from  seed,  not  perceptibly  varying  from  the  parent. 


CLASS  II.     FLESH  ADHERING  TO  THE  STONE. 
Section  L     Fruit  large. 

Brevoort's  Purple.  (Syn.  New-York  Purple.)  Large',  oval, 
suture  distinct  at  base;  skin  reddish,  with  a  violet  bloom; 
stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  deep,  nar- 
row ;  flesh  soft,  juicy,  sub-acid,  moderately  rich,  second- 
rate.  Season  medium.  Shoots  long,  smooth ;  tree  pro- 
ductive. Origin,  New- York. 

Duane's  Purple.  Very  large,  oblong-oval,  longer  on  one 
side;  slightly  narrowed  towards  the  base  ;  skin  reddish 
purple,  bloom  lilac ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long, 
slender,  cavity  narrow;  flesh  juicy,  moderately  sweet,  of 
second-rate  flavor,  adhering  mostly  to  the  stone.  Rather 
early,  ripening  with  the  Washington.  Shoots  very  dow- 
ny, leaves  large,  downy  beneath.  Popular  from  its  large 
size  and  handsome  appearance.  Origin,  Duanesburgh, 
N.Y. 

Goliath.  Large,  roundish  oblong  or  oval,  enlarged  on  one 
side ;  skin  deep  red,  approaching  blue  or  purple  ;  bloom 
thin,  blue  ;  stalk  half  or  three-fourth's  of  an  inch  long, 
cavity  very  deep,  distinct ;  flesh  yellowish,  mostly  adher- 
ing to  the  stone,  juicy,  coarse,  sub-acid.  Season  medium. 
Shoots  grey,  very  hairy,  leaves  narrow.  Productive. 

Gwalsh.  Large,  obovate,  regular,  suture  obscure ;  skin 
rich  dark  purple,  bloom  blue  ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an 
inch  long,  slightly  sunk  ;  flesh  yellow,  juicy,  sub-acid, 
second-rate.  Rather  early.  Shoots  nearly  smooth.  New- 
Jersey. 

Smith's  Orleans.  Large,  oval,  slightly  wider  at  base,  a  little 
irregular,  suture  deep  on  one  side  ;  skin  reddish-purple, 
becoming  very  dark,  bloom  deep  blue  ;  stalk  small,  slen- 
der ;  cavity  narrow,  deep ;  flesh  deep  yellow,  slightly 

15* 


344  THE    PLUM. 

firm,  juicy,  rich,  nearly  first-rate.  Shoots  vigorous,  straight, 
glossy  reddish  purple;  leaves  dark  green,  crimpled.  Ri- 
pens the  last  week  of  summer.  Productive  in  nearly  all 
soils.  Long  Island. 

Hovey  considers  this  identical  with  Cooper's  Plum,  of  Coxe 
and  others. 

Nectarine.  Large,  regular,  roundish;  skin  purple,  bloom 
blue;  stalk  half  an  inch  long,  stout;  flesh  dull  greenish- 
yellow,  often  tinged  with  red,  rather  coaree,  rich,  acid, 
partly  adhering  to  the  stone.  Rather  early.  Shoots 
nearly  smooth,  leaves  broad.  Quite  distinct  from  the 
Peach  Plum  of  the  preceding  class. 

ROYAL  TOURS.  (Syn.  Royale  de  Tours.)  Large,  roundish, 
suture  deep,  half  round,  one  side  swollen  ;  a  white  de- 
pressed point  at  apex;  skin  red  in  the  shade,  deep  violet 
in  the  sun,  bloom  copious,  blue;  stalk  half  to  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow;  flesh  greenish-white, 
rather  firm,  juicy,  rich,  high-flavored,  adhering  closely 
to  the  large,  oval,  flattened  stone.  Quite  early;  shoots 
quite  downy.  Valuable  for  its  earline^s  and  good  quali- 
ty. The  genuine  sort  is  very  rare.  French. 

Sectw?i  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

BLUE  IMPERATRICE.  (Syn.  Imperatrice.)  Size,  medium, 
obovate,  narrowed  to  the  base  in  a  somewhat  obconic 
neck;  skin  deep  purple,  bloom  copious,  blue;  stalk  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk  ;  flesh  greenish- 
yellow,  rather  firm,  not  juicy,  rich,  sugary;  ripening  very 
late,  and  hanging  till  nearly  winter. 

The  variety  known  erroneously  as  the  Se?nia?ia  or  Blue  Im- 
pcratrice  of  Boston,  and  disseminated  as  such,  differs  from 
the  true  Imperatrice  in  its  shorter  and  smaller  neck,  much 
shorter  and  not  sunk  stalk,  and  more  acid  flavor.  It  is 
very  productive,  and  a  good  very  late  culinary  sort. 

Blue  Perdrigon.  (Syn.  Violet  Perdrigon.)  Medium  in 
size,  oval,  slightly  narrowed  at  base,  skin  reddish,  be- 
coming purple,  with  many  brown  dots  j  bloom  whitish, 
very  copious ;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity 


THE    PLUM.  345 

small ;  flesh  greenish-yellow,  rather  firm,  rich,  sweet, 
good.  Season  medium.  Shoots  downy. 
Corse's  Admiral.  Medium  or  rather  large,  oval,  slightly 
obovate,  much  larger  on  one  side ;  skin  light  purple,  with 
yellow  specks  ;  bloom  pale  lilac  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an 
inch  long,  hairy,  slightly  sunk;  flesh  greenish-yellow, 
juicy,  sprightly,  second-rate.  Rather  late.  Productive. 
Shoots  quite  downy.  Origin,  Montreal. 
Corse's  Field  Marshal.  Medium  or  rather  large,  oval, 
bright  purplish  red,  handsome ;  stalk  rather  slender, 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  slightly  sunk;  flesh  green- 
ish-yellow, juicy,  sub-acid,  adhering  closely  to  the  long, 
pointed  stone.  Season  medium.  Origin,  Montreal. 
Domine  Dull.  (Syn.  German  Prune,  of  some.)  Size  me- 
dium, long-oval,  suture  very  obscure;  skin  very  dark  purple, 
bloom  blue;  stalk  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  scarcely 
sunk  ;  flesh  juicy,  becoming  dry,  rich,  sweet,  good.  Pro- 
fusely prod  active.  Rather  late.  Origin,  Kingston,  N.  Y. 
ICKWORTH  IMPERATRICE.  Medium  or  rather  large,  obovate, 
purple,  with  irregular  streaks  of  fawn  color ;  stalk  me- 
dium;  flesh  greenish-yellow,  sweet,  juicy,  rich,  mostly 
adhering  to  the  rather  small  stone.  Very  late,  keeping 
into  winter,  becoming  dryer  and  sweeter.  Shoots  smooth. 
English. 

LOMBARD.  (Syn.  Ble'ecker's  Scarlet.)  Size  medium,  some- 
times rather  large, 
round-oval,  slightly  flat- 
tened at  ends,  suture 
obscure  ;  skin  violet 
red;  stalk  very  slen- 
der,half  to  three-fourths 
of  an  inch  long,  cavity 
broad;  flesh  deep  yel- 
low, pleasant,  not  rich, 
but  of  fine  quality.  Ra- 
ther early  or  medium 
in  .  season,  ripening  a 
week  or  two  before  the 
end  of  summer.  Har- 

264— Frost  Gage.  Fig.  265— Lombard  or     ,  .._  ,, 

Blacker',  Scarlet,    dy,  very  prolific,  well 


346  THE    PLUM. 

adapted  to  light  soils, — valuable.  Shoots  thrifty,  quite 
smooth  or  glossy,  bright  purple ;  leaves  much  crumpled. 
Origin,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

This  is  a  strongly  fixed  variety,  and  has  in  many  instances 
produced  seedlings  very  closely  resembling  itself. 

Long  Scarlet.  (Syn.  Scarlet  Gage,  Red  Gage  erroneously.) 
Size  medium,  oblong-obovate,  elongated,  one  side  swol- 
len, base  narrow  ;  skin  bright  red,  bloom  fine  lilac  ;  stalk 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ;  flesh  deep 
yellow,  acid,  becoming  rather  rich  and  sweet,  of  second- 
rate  flavor,  but  makes  beautiful  bright  red  jelly.  Season 
medium.  Shoots  downy.  Orange  co.,  N.  V. 

Peoly's  Early  Blue.  Size  medium,  oblong,  suture  very  ob- 
scure ;  skin  dark  blue,  bloom  light  blue;  stalk  short; 
flesh  yellow,  pleasant,  second-rate,  adhering  partially  to 
the  bluntly  terminated  stone.  Early.  Snoots  very 
downy.  Mass. 

Suisse.  (Syn.  Prune  Suisse,  Swiss  Plum,  Simiana,  Mon- 
sieur Tardif.)  Medium  or  rather  large,  round,  suture 
broad,  shallow  ;  a  sunk  point  at  apex  ;  skin  lively  violet 
red,  thickly  dotted,  and  slightly  marbled  ;  bloom  blue, 
copious  ;  stalk  three-fourths  to  an  inch  long,  cavity  wide  , 
flesh  crackling  and  melting,  flavor  brisk,  rich,  slightly 
sharp,  adhering  to  the  thick,  rough-edged  stone.  Quite 
late.  Shoots  smooth.  Distinct  from  the  "  Semiana,"  of 
Boston. 

Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

American  Wheat.  Quite  small,  globular,  pale  blue,  bloom 
white,  stalk  slender,  half  an  inch  long,  flesh  greenish, 
melting,  juicy,  sweet,  second-rate,  dropping  when  ripe. 
Season,  medium.  Very  productive.  Shoots  slender, 
smooth,  leaves  small,  light  colored.  Mass. 

Cherry.  (Syn.  Early  Scarlet,  Myrobolan.)  Small,  (one 
inch  diameter,)  round,  remotely  heart-shaped,  bright  red, 
bloom  faint;  stalk  shott  and  slender;  cavity  narrow; 
flesh  juicy,  slightly  fibrous,  soft,  melting,  sub-acid,  not 
rich,  second-rate,  adhering  to  the  oval,  pointed  stone. 


TH5    PLUM.  347 

Ripens  very  early  or  about  midsummer,  its  only  value. 
This  is  a  distinct  species,  (Prunus  cerasifera,)  and  is 
distinguished  by  its  smooth,  slender  shoots,  small  bushy 
head,  and  narrow  leaves.  There  are  several  varieties. 
The  Golden  Cherry  Plum,  (Market  Plum,  of  Hoffy,)  is 
heart-shaped,  yellow,  speckled  with  scarlet  in  the  sun, 
productive,  and  slightly  earlier  than  the  common  cherry 
plum. 

J  arly  Tours.  (Syn.  Precoce  de  Tours,  Early  Violet.)  Me- 
dium or  small,  deep  purple,  bloom  copious,  blue ;  stalk 
half  an  inch  long,  cavity  narrow ;  flesh  dull  yellow, 
slightly  fibrous,  rather  sweet,  melting,  good.  Quite  ear- 
ly. Shoots  downy. 

FROST  GAGE.  Rather  small,  round-oval,  suture  distinct  on 
one  side ;  skin  deep  purple,  bloom  thin  ;  stalk  half  to 
three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  scarcely  sunk  ;  flesh  juicy, 
sub-acid,  becoming  sweet,  melting,  of  fine  but  not  of  the 
highest  flavor ;  very  valuable  from  its  hardiness,  late  ma- 
turity, and  great  productiveness.  Shoots  smooth,  rather 
slender ;  tree  tall,  upright.  Eighteen  hundred  dollars, 
says  Downing,  were  received  by  a  single  farmer  near 
Newburgh,  for  one  year's  crop  of  this  plum. 


ADDITIONAL   VARIETIES. 

Muscle.  Fruit  oblong,  dark  red,  stone  large,  flesh  thin,  of 
poor  flavor.  This  plum  is  used  only  for  stocks. 

Sloe,  (Prunus  spinosa.)  Fruit  small,  nearly  globular,  dark 
violet,  bloom  thick,  flesh  very  acid  and  powerfully  astrin- 
gent. A  large  shrub,  ten  or  twelve  feet  high,  thorny ; 
flowers  abundant,  ornamental.  The  double  flowering  is 
rather  smaller,  and  more  beautiful.  Some  writers,  with 
too  much  poetical  freedom,  speak  of  the  common  plum, 
(Prunus  domestica,)  as  an  ameliorated  sort  from  the 
"  austere  sloe,"  which  being  a  distinct  species,  such  a 
change  is  impossible. 

Red  Chicasaw.  (Pntnus  Chicasa.}  Small,  roundish,  light 
red,  flesh  melting,  soft,  pleasant.  Ripens  soon  after  mid- 


248  THE    PLUM. 

irummer.  Another  variety  produces  yellow  fruit.  Tree 
low,  spreading-,  bushy,  thorny;  leaves  narrow-lanceolate, 
somewhat  in  shape  like  those  of  a  peach.  A  native  of  the 
Western  States. 

Wild  Red  or  Yellow  Plum.  (Prunus  americana.}  There 
ate  many  w;ld  varieties  of  this  species,  the  fruit  varying 
from  roundish  to  oval,  and  presenting  various  shades  of 
color,  mostly  light  red.  Some  have  a  pleasant,  rich, 
sweet,  or  sub-acid  pulp.  Tree  10  to  15  feet  high,  leaves 
ovate,  coarsely  serrate,  branches  somewhat  thorny.  Ri- 
pens latter  part  of  tummer.  The  quality  of  the  fruit  is 
improved  by  cultivation.  It  is  sometimes  used  as  stocks 
for  the  plum  and  aprico.t. 

The  Beach  Plum.  (Prunus  maritima.}  Fruit  nearly  me- 
dium in  size,  varying  from  reddish  to  dark  purple,  plea- 
sant, astringent.  A  shrub  with  stout  straggling  branches; 
leaves  oblong-ovate.  A  native  of  the  sea-coast  of  the 
northern  and  middle  states. 


CHAPTER     VII. 


THE    CHERRY. 


PROPAGATION.  The  cultivated  varieties  of  the  cherry  con- 
sist of  two  distinct  classes  of  sorts  ;  the  first  comprising  the 
Mazzards,  Hearts,  and  Bigarreaus,  is  characterized  usually 
by  the  tall  upright  growth  and  pyramidal  form  of  the  tree, 
by  the  large,  vigorous,  and  straight  young  branches,  and  by 
a  sweet  or  bitter,  but  not  a  sour  taste.  The  second  class,  or 
round-fruited,  including  the  Dukes,  Morellos,  and  the  com- 
mon pie  cherry,  has  small,  irregular,  and  thickly  growing 
branches,  and  a  decidedly  acid  fruit.  Observation  will 
soon  enable  any  one  to  distinguish  these  two  classes,  even 
where  the  trees  are  not  more  than  a  foot  in  height.  It  is 
the  former  only  that  are  valuable  as  stocks  for  grafting  and 
budding,  on  account  of  their  straight  and  rapid  growth.* 

The  stones,  as  soon  as  they  are  taken  from  the  fruit, 
should  be  dried  only  enough  to  prevent  mouldiness,  and 
then  mixed  with  an  equal  quantity  of  clean  moist  sand. 
This  will  preserve  a  proper  degree  of  moisture,  and  allow 
the  easy  separation  of  the  stones  in  planting.  The  best  way 
to  keep  them  till  spring,  is  to  bury  them  in  shallow  pits  on 
a  dry  spot  of  ground,  covering  them  with  flat  stones  and  a 
few  inches  of  earth. 

The  seed  may  be  planted  in  autumn  or  spring.  If  in  au- 
tumn, the  ground  should  be  dry,  and  entirely  free  from  all 
danger  of  becoming  flooded  or  water-soaked.  Unless  the  soil 

*  Attempts  are  not  unfrequently  made  to  propagate  the  common  cherry  on  the 
wild  Black  Cherry,  (Cerasus  virginiana,)  or  on  the  Choke  Cherry,  (C.  serotina.) 
Such  attempt*  prove  to  be  failures,  the  sorts  being  too  dissimilar  in  their  natures  to 
favor  union.  These  two  species,  it  will  be  observed,  have  racemose  inflorescence, 
while  in  the  cultivated  cherry  the  flowers  are  simply  in  fascicles  or  umbels.  Some  of 
the  wild  species,  (as  the  Sand  Cherry,  C.  pubescent,)  having  the  latter  kind  of  inflo- 
rescence, have  been  successfully  used  as  slock?,  and  their  adoption  might  possibly 
prove  useful  at  the  south  and  west,  where  the  Heart  cherries  fail. 


550  THE    CilERKY. 

is  quite  light,  the  seeds  should  be  covered  with  black  mould 
to  prevent  the   formation  of  a  hard  crust  upon  the  surface 
Vvhich  would  prevent  the  young  plants  from  breaking  through 
But.  usually,  spring  is   the  best  season,    if  the  planting  k. 
done  the  moment  the  frost  is  out   of  the   ground  ;  for  th& 
seeds  sprout  and  grow  on  the  first   approach  of  warm  wea- 
ther.    The  distance  should  be  the    same   as   for  the   peach 
ahd  apple  ;  and  nearly  the  same  directions  are  applicable  to 
their  management  in  the  nursery  rows. 

Good  seedlings,  averaging  a  foot  and  a  half  high,  maybe 
transplanted  from  the  seed  beds  when  a  year  old,  and  if  well 
cultivated  in  good  soil,  may  be  budded  the  same  season. 
Where  the  buds  fail,  the  trees  may  be  grafted  the  following 
spring. 

Bud.ding  can  only  succeed  with  thrifty,  freely  growing 
stocks,  and  with  well  matured  buds.  About  the  time,  or  a 
little  after  the  most  vigorous  stage  of  growth,  or  just  as  the 
terminal  buds  on  the  shoots  commence  forming,  is  the  most 
successful  period.  If  earlier,  the  buds  will  usually  be  too 
soft ;  if  later,  the  bark  will  not  peel  freely,  nor  the  Luds  ad- 
here well.  This  period  usually  commences  about  mid-sum- 
mer, and  continues,  under  the  various  influences  of  season 
and  soil,  for  two  or  three  weeks,  and  sometimes  more  than 
a  month.  Success  will  be  found  to  depend  also  upon  cut- 
ting out  with  the  bud,  a  larger  portion  of  the  wood  than 
common  with  other  budding,  or  equal  to  at  least  one-third 
the  diameter  of  the  shoot.  This  will  be  found  particularly 
useful  where  the  buds  are  slightly  immature,  retaining  in 
them  a  larger  portion  of  moisture,  and  preventing  their 
.curling  off  from  the  stock.  . 

Great  difficulty  is  often  experienced  in  successfully  graft- 
ing the  cherry.  It  succeeds  well,  if  performed  very  early  in 
the  spring,  before  the  slightest  swelling  of  the-  buds,  and 
before  the  frost  has  disappeared  from  the  ground.  After 
this  period  it  is  greatly  liable  to  failure. 

In  propagating  the  slower-growing,  round-fruited  varie- 
ties, good  trees  are  often  soonest  obtained  by  grafting  or 
budding  them  at  standard  height  into  large  straight  stocks. 
If  grafted,  they  soon  form  a  handsome  head;  if  budded, 


THE    CHERRY.  35* 

care  must  be  taken  by  judicious   pruning    to  prevent  the 
young1  shoots  from  growing  ail  on  one  side. 

Pruning  the  cherry-  except  ti  form  the  head,  is  rarely 
needed.  When  necessary,  midsummer  is  found  to  be  the 
most  favorable  season,  and  least  attended  with  the  exudation 
of  gum. 

SOIL. 

In  the  northern  states,  the  cherry  being  a  very  hardy  tree, 
will  thrive  in  nearly  all  good  soils.  But  a  dryer  soil  than 
for  most  other  species  is  found  preferable ;  a  sandy  or 
gravelly  loam  is  best.  In  wet  pjaces,  or  on  water-soaked 
sub-soils,  it  does  not  flourish,  and  soon  perishes. 

DWARF    CHEBRIES. 

These  are,  as  yet,  cultivated  to  a  limited  extent  in  this 
country.  They  are  chiefly  adapted  to  village  gardens,  or 
other  grounds  of  limited  extent,  as  they  may  be  set  as  near 
each  other  as  five  or  six  feet.  They  may  be  easily  covered 
with  netting,  and  thus  protected  from  the  birds,  and  what 
is  most  rare  and  desirable,  the  fruit  permitted  to  remain  un- 
til fully  ripe,  so  important  to  the  flavor  of  all  cherries  of  an 
acid  character. 

The  stocks  used  for  this  purpose  are  the  "  Perfumed 
Cherry  "  or  Prunus  Mahaleb,  which  also  possesses  the  ad- 
vantage of  flourishing  on  heavy  clay  ground.  The  grafts 
will  usually  grow  quite  vigorously  for  two  or  three  seasons, 
but  they  soon  form  dwarf,  prolific  bushes  ;  their  branches 
being  so  pruned  that  seven,  nine,  or  more,  may  come  out 
from  the  centre  of  the  plant,  like  a  well-managed  goose- 
berry bush.  These  branches  will  put  forth,  early  in  sum- 
mer, as  in  the  horizontal  shoots  of  pyramidal  pears,  several 
shoots  at  their  extremities,  all  of  which  must  be  pinched 
off  to  within  two  or  three  buds  of  their  base,  leaving  the 
leading  shoots  untouched  till  near  the  close  of  summer, 
when  they  must  be  shortened  to  eight  or  ten  buds.  The 
Heart  and  Bigarreau  cherries  maybe  left  of  one-half  great- 
er length  than  the  Dukes  and  Morellos,  which  are  of  smaller 
habit  of  growth;  -and  where  the  space  is  small,  the  trees 
may  be  root-pruned  and  kept  within  a  very  limited  space.* 

*  Rivers'  Miniature  Fruit  Garden. 


352 


THE    CHERRY. 


The  cultivation  of  dwarf  cherries  would  greatly  facilitate 
the  use  of  net  screens  for  covering  entire  orchards,  as  some- 
times practiced  in  Holland  and  England.  The  boundary 
fence  is  made  of  wire  (or  wood)  lattice,  so  as  to  exclude 
small  birds.  At  regular  distances,  through  the  enclosed 
area,  are  inserted  into  the  earth,  wooden  or  tile  sockets  for 
the  reception  of  poles  or  props  to  support  the  net.  These 
poles  have  a  small  circular  board  each  nailed  on  their  tops, 
to  prevent  injury  to  the  netting.  The  boundary  fence  is 
supplied  with  hooks,  to  which  the  net  is  readily  attached. 
When  the  cherries  begin  to  ripen,  it  is  elevated  on  several 
of  the  poles,  each  carried,  by  a  man,  and  spread  over  the 
garden,  the  rest  of  the  poles  being  easily  inserted  in  their 
sockets  afterwards.  All  birds  are  thus  completely  excluded. 
During  rain  or  dewy  evenings,  the  net  is  stretched  to  its  ut- 
most extent,  as  indicated  by  the  dotted  lines-  in  the  annexed 
figure  : 

Fig.  266. 


Birds  excluded  from  miniature  cherry  orchard  by  net  screen. 

In  dry  weather,  it  is  slackened,  and  forms  a  festooned  vault 
over  the  whole  cherry  garden.  Its  durability  is  increased 
by  soaking  it  in  tan  once  a  year.*  Ten  square  rods  of 
ground,  comprised  within  a  circle  of  fifty-nine  feet  in  diam- 
eter, would  contain  forty  dwarf  cherry  "trees  at  eight  feet 
distance,  or  ninety  trees  at  five  feet  distance. 

THE    DISEASES    AND    ENEMIES, 

To  which  the  cherry  is  liable  at  the  North,  are  few  arid  not 
formidable.  After  the  young  trees  are  procured,  they  are 
consequently  of  remarkably  safe  and  easy  cultivation. 

There  are,  however,  some  varieties  which  are  liable  to 
black  excrescences  on  the  branches,  which,  gradually  increas- 
ing and  extending,  destroy  the  tree.  The  only  means  of 
arresting  their  progress,  and  which,  when  vigorously  and 

*  London's  Sub.  Hort. 


THE    CHERRY.  353 

unremittingly  applied,  does  not  fail,  is  to  cut  off  the  injured 
branches  at  once,  and  commit  them  to  the  fire. 

The  Hack  aphis,  or  plant  louse,  is  often  very  injurious  to 
young  trees  in  the  nursery,  causing  a  stunted  and  distorted 
growth,  and  when  abundant  on  newly  grafted  trees,  some- 
limes  destroying  them. 

The  best  remedy  is  the  application  of  whale-oil  soap.  A 
teacupful  is  dissolved  in  a  pail  of  water,  and  applied  with  a 
syringe,  or  by  the  immersion  of  the  infested  branches,  which 
causes  the  immediate  death  of  the  insectst  and  must  be  re- 
peated every  few  days  till  no  more  are  found. 

The  "  Cherry  Slug,"  (Fig.  267,)  when  in  large  numbers, 
does  serious  injury  by  eating  the  leaves.    This 
animal,  which  appears  to  be  the  larva  of  an 
insect,  is  about  half  an  inch  long,   and  dark 
greenish  brown   when   filled  with  food.     Its 
smooth,  shining,  and  jelly-like  skin,  and  snail- 
like  appearance,  have  given  it  the  name  "  Slug."     It  may 
be  repelled  by  dusting  the   cherry  leaves  regularly,  while 
wet  with  dew,  with  dry  fresh  ashes. 

The  curculio,  so  destructive  to  the  plum  and  apricot,  some- 
times injures  young  fruit.  The  orchard  caterpillar  often 
defoliates  the  cherry  tree.  Remedies  have  been  pointed  out 
in  former  chapters. 

Sometimes  the  cherry  crop  is  much  lessened  by  long  and 
heavy  rains,  at  the  period  of  the  bursting  of  the  anthers, 
washing  down  the  pollen,  and  preventing  the  fertilization  of 
the  stigma  and  germ. 

At  the  South  and  West,  most  of  the  finer  varieties  of  the 
cherry  do  not  flourish.  This  is  supposed  to  be  caused,  at 
the  South,  by  the  hot  sun  upon  the  trunk  of  rapidly  grow- 
ing and  succulent  trees,  the  wood  of  which  does  not  mature 
and  harden  sufficiently  to  withstand  its  effects.  A  partial 
remedy  has  been  found  in  sheathing  the  trunks  with  straw. 
The  Mayduke  and  a  few  other  of  the  sour*  cherries,  succeed 
best.  Grafting  upon  these  hardy  sorts,  may  prove  useful. 
A  similar  disaster  is  produced  in  many  portions  of  the 
"Western  States,  caused,  perhaps,  by  severe  frost  in  addition 
to  the  other  named  influences.  On  the  fertile  western  soils, 
where  the  growth  is  very  rapid,  the  outer  and  more  horny 
portion  of  the  bark  does  not  expand  fast  enough,  and  firmly 


354  THE    CHERRY. 

binds  the  trunk,  until  suddenly  ruptured  by  the  increasing 
pressure.  It  usually  bursts  and  cracks  open  on  the  south- 
west side,  where  the  new  growth  swells  out,  and  repeatedly 
bursting,  the  tree  finally  perishes.  Slitting  open  the  bark 
with  a  knife  was  found  to  produce  this  sudden  swelling  and 
increased  growth  at  the  precise  lines  where  the  slits  were 
made,  but  afforded  no  relief  at  other  places.  It  was  only 
by  shaving  off  evenly  the  whole  surface  of  the  hardened 
bark,  that  the  unnatural  cracking  and  swelling  out  was  pre- 
vented.* Further  experiments  are  needed  in  relation  to 
this  subject;  possibly  a  softening  application  to  the  hard 
bark  may  be  discovered  ;  and  it  may  also  be  very  necessary 
where  the  outer  portion  is  peeled  or  shaved  off,  to  protect 
by  a  coating  of  straw,  the  denuded  surface. 

*  J.  B.  Turner,  in  Horticulturist.  A  similar  result,  but  evenly  distributed  over 
the  surface,  and  accompanying  healthy  growth,  occurs  with  all  old  and  rough-barked 
forest  trees,  the  exterior  coating  becoming  gradually  and  evenly  furrowed 


VAEIETIES. 

SYNOPSIS    OF    ARRANGEMENT. 

DIVISION  I.    FRUIT  HEART-SHAPED. 

(Fruit  inclining  to  sweet,  tree  vigorous  and  regular  in  growth.) 

CLASS  I.     HEART  CHERRIES. 

(Flesh  tender  or  half-tender.) 

Sub-Class  I.     Fruit  Black,  dark  red,  or  crimson, 

Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section   II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small.    • 

Sub-  Class  II.     Fruit  bright  red,  or  lighter. 

Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section   II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 


THE    CHERRY.  355 

CLASS  II.     BIGARREAU  CHERRIES. 

(Flesh  firm  or  rather  hard.) 

Sub-Class  I.     Fruit  black,  dark  red,  or  crimson. 
Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section    II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

Sub- Class  II.     Fruit  bright  red,  or  lighter. 
Section      I.     Fruit  large. 
Section   II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

DIVISION  H.    FRUIT  ROUND. 

(Fruit  rather  acid,  tree  of  irregular  growth.) 

CLASS  I.     DUKE  CHERRIES. 

c  Trees  mostly  upright,  becoming  partly  spreading,   fruit  often  approaching  heart- 
shaped.) 

Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section   II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

CLASS  II.     MORELLO  CHERRIES. 

(Threes  usually  spreading,  very  irregular,  shoots  small,  wiry,  fruit  nearly  round.) 

Section     I.     Fruit  large. 
Section   II.     Fruit  medium. 
Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

The  two  classes  of  the  second  division  are  not  very  dis- 
tinctly separated ;  the  chief  distinction  being  in  the  growth 
of  the  tree.  Most  varieties  of  the  first  division  are  quite 
distinct; — a  few,  as  the  Madison  Bigarreau,  Downton,  and 
White  Bigarreau,  possess  intermediate  qualities. 

SEASON  OF  RIPENING.  Early,  as  Black  Tartarian,  and 
American  'Heart ;  medium,  as  Graffion  or  Bigarreau,  and 
Black  Eagle  ;  late,  as  Elkhorn  and  Downer's  Late.  Quali- 
fying terms  sub-divide  and  extend  these  periods. 


356 


THE    CHERRY. 


DIVISION  I.    FRUIT  HEART-SHAPED. 

CLASS  I.     HEART  CHERRIES. 

Sub-class  I.     Fruit  Hack,  dark-red,  or  crimson. 

Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

BLACK  EAGLE.  Rather  large,  obtuse  heart-shaped,  round- 
ish, nearly  black  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  rather 
slender,  slightly  sunk  ;  flesh  dark,  deep  purplish  crimson, 


Fig  268. 
May  Bigarreau. 


Fig.  269. 
Knight's  'Early  Black. 


Fig.  270. 
Early  Purple  Guigne. 


Fig.  271. 
Black  Tartarian. 


Fig.  272. 
Black  Eagle. 


with  a  very  rich,  high,  excellent  flavor.  Season  me- 
dium, (1st  of  7  mo.)  Shoots  stout,  diverging  or  spread- 
ing. A  cross  of  the  Graffion  and  Mayduke.  English. 
Not  always  of  the  highest  character. 


THE    CHEBBY.  357 

BLACK  TARTARIAN.  (Syn.  Frazer's  Black  Tartarian, 
Black  Circassian,  Black  Russian,  Ronald's  Large  Black 
Heart,  Ronald's  Heart.)  Quite  large,  (often  an  inch  in 
diameter,)  on  crowded  old  trees  only  medium;  heart- 
shaped,  often  rather  obtuse,  surface  slightly  uneven,  near- 
ly or  quite  black ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slightly 
sunk ;  flesh  dark,  half  tender,  with  a  peculiar  liver-like 
consistency,  rich,  nearly  destitute  of  acid,  of  very  fine,  but 
not  of  the  highest  flavor.  Ripens  early,  or  about  the 
middle  of  6  mo.,  (June.)  Shoots  very  erect.  The  vigo- 
rous growth  and  great  productiveness  of  the  tree  and  the 
large  size  and  mild  sweet  flavor  of  the  fruit,  rer.-er  this 
variety  a  general  favorite. 

KNIGHT'S  EARLY  BLACK.  Large,  obtuse,  heart- 
shaped,  surface  slightly  uneven,  black ;  stalk  an  inch  and 
a  fourth  or  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  rather  stout,  cavity 
deep,  narrow;  flesh  dark  purplish  crimson,  tender,  juicy, 
with  a  very  rich,  high,  excellent  flavor.  Ripens  quite 
early,  or  a  little  before  the  Black  Tartarian.  Shoots  di- 
verging or  spreading.  Much  resembles  the  Black  Eagle, 
but  larger,  earlier,  more  heart-shaped,  and  with  a  much 
deeper  cavity.  English.  In  some  localities,  it  appears  to 
need  a  rich  soil  and  warm  situation  to  develope  its  excel- 
lence. 

Oxheart  (of  the  English.  Large,  obtuse,  heart-shaped,  dark 
red,  half  tender,  of  second  quality.  Rare  in  this  country. 
The  name  Oxheart  is  erroneously  applied  here  to  the 
White  Pigarreau  and  to  several  large  worthless  sorts. 

WATERLOO.  Large,  obtuse,  heart-shaped,  dark  purple  be- 
coming black ;  stalk  long,  slender,  flesh  purplish  red ; 
flavor  rich,  sweet,  and  excellent.  Rather  late.  Tree 
spreading,  a  moderate  bearer.  Spurious  sorts  are  often 
disseminated  under  this  name.  English. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Black  Heart.  Medium  or  rather  large ;  heart-shaped,  slight- 
ly irregular ;  blackish  crimson,  becoming  black ;  stalk  an 
inch  and  a  half  long,  moderately  sunk,  tender  when  ripe, 


358  THE    CHERRY. 

with  a  high,  nearly  first-rate  flavor.     Season  medium  or 

rather   early.       Productive    and   hardy ;    growth    rather 

erect. 
Manning's  Early  Black  Heart,  resembles  the  preceding  in 

nearly  all  points,  hut  is  a  week  earlier. 
Davc?iport's  Early,  closely  resembles  Black  Heart,  but  is  a 

few  days  earlier,  and  the   leaves  are  larger  and  lighter 

green. 

EARLY  PURPLE  GUIGNE.  Size  medium,  round  Heart-shaped, 
distinctly  dotted  when  ripening,  dark  red,  becoming  near- 
ly black;  flesh  dark,  tender,  juicy,  rich,  sweet.  Growth 
Jess  vigorous  than  most  heart  cherries,  shoots  dark  brown, 
spreading;  leaves  rather  small,  drooping  on  long  petioles. 
Very  early,  ripening  with  May  Bigarreau. 

Gascoine's  Heart.  (Syn.  Bleeding  Heart,  of  Lindley.)  Size 
medium,  long  heart-shaped,  with  a  small,  clear  drop  at 
apex,  dark  red,  half  tender,  second-rate  in  flavor.  A  poor 
bearer.  Season  medium. 

Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

Black  Mazzard.  (Syn.  Mazzard,  Wild  English  Cherry.) 
Small,  oval  heart-shaped,  sides  a  little  compressed  ;  color, 
black;  stalk  long,  slender,  slightly  inserted,  flesh  soft, 
bitter.  Late.  Valuable  for  stocks. 

The  White  Mazzard,  of  Manning,  nearly  resembles  the 
preceding  except  in  its  light  color. 

Black  Corone.  Rather  small,  round  heart-shaped,  dull 
black;  stalk  two  inches  long,  slender,  cavity  narrow, 
deep ;  flesh  dark  crimson  purple,  tender  when  ripe,  of 
second  or  third  quality.  Late.  This  is  merely  an  im- 
proved Mazzard,  intermediate  between  the  common  Maz- 
zard and  the  Black  Heart.  The  latter  is  sometimes  cul- 
tivated under  the  name  of  Corone. 

May  Bigarre.au.  (Syn.  Baumann's  May  of  Downing,  Bigar- 
reau de  Mai.)  Rather  small,  oval  heart-shaped,  becom- 
ing as  it  ripens  nearly  round  ;  color  deep  red,  becoming 
black ;  stalk  an  inch  and  three-fourths  long,  rather  stout 
at  the  ends,  cavity  narrow;  flesh  dark  crimson,  juicy, 


THE    CHERRY.  359 

rather  sweet,  not  high-flavored.  Very  early.  Produc- 
tive. Shoots  spreading,  brown,  resembling  in  color  those 
of  the  Mayduke. 

Sub-Class  II.     Fruit  bright  red,  or  lighter. 

Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

DOWNTON.  Large,  round  heart-shaped,  apex  quite  ob- 
tuse, or  slightly  indented  ;  light  cream  color,  stained  with 
red ;  stalk  an  inch  and  three-fourths  or  two  inches  long, 
slender  ;  cavity  wide ;  flesh  yellowish,  tender,  adhering 
slightly  to  the  stone,  rich,  delicious.  Season  medium  or 
rather  late.  Growth  rather  spreading. 

Ohio  Beauty.  Very  large,  oblate-heart-shaped ;  dark  red 
on  a  pale  red  ground,  somewhat  marbled,  very  handsome  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  rather  stout,  cavity  wide 
and  deep;  flesh  white,  tender,  juicy,  with  a  fine  flavor. 
Early,  or  about  ten  days  before  Napoleon  Bigarreau,  which 
it  about  equals  in  size.  Origin,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  New. 

ROBERTS'  RED  HEART.  Large,  obtuse  heart-shaped,  bright 
red,  cavity  rather  wide,  flesh  red,  flavor  excellent.  Ra- 
ther late.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

American  Amber.  (Syn.  Bloodgood's  Honey.)  Size  medi- 
um, round  heart-shaped,  very  regular,  apex  slightly  sunk, 
skin  thin,  smooth,  glossy;  color  light  amber,  becoming 
mottled  and  shaded  with  bright  red;  stalk  two  inches _ 
long,  slender,  slightly  sunk  ;  flavor  pleasant,  usually  sec- 
ond-rate, sometimes  very  good,  variable  on  the  same  tree. 
Productive.  Season  medium.  Origin,  Flushing.  N.  Y. 

COE'S  TRANSPARENT.  Size  medium,  nearly  globular,  very 
regular ;  skin  thin,  pale  amber,  reddened  in  the  sun,  with 
peculiar  pale  spots,  or  blotches ;  stalk  nearly  an  inch  and 
a  half  long,  moderately  sunk,  very  tender,  melting,  sweet, 
excellent.  Early,  just  before  Black  Tartarian.  Growth, 
thrifty,  upright.  Origin,  Middletown,  Conn.  New. 

DOCTOR.  Size  medium,  round  heart-shaped ;  color  light 
yellow  and  red,  blended  and  mottled ;  stalk  an  inch  and 

16 


360 


THE    CHERRY. 


a  half  long;  cavity  round,  regular;  flesh  white,  tender, 
juicy,  sweet,  fine.  Very  early.  Resembles  American 
Heart,  but  two  weeks  earlier.  Growth  moderate,  spread- 
ing, leaves  narrow.  Origin,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  New. 

DOWNER'S  LATE.  (Syn.  Downer,  Downer's  Late  Red.) 
Size  medium,  round  heart-shaped,  smooth,  red,  light  am- 
ber in  the  shade  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slightly 


Fig.  273. 
Coe's  Transparent, 


Fig.  274. 
Early  White  Heart. 


Fig.  275. 
Lownton. 


Fig.  276.  Fig.   277. 

Doioner's  Late.      Sparhawlc' s  Honey. 


sunk ;  fruit  in  clusters ;  flesh  tender,  melting,  rich,  very 
high-flavored— -not  good  till  fully  ripe.  Lat°e.  Growth 
erect.  Origin,  Dorchester,  Mass. 

EARLY  WHITE  HEART.  Medium,  or  rather  small,  heart- 
shaped,  slightly  oblong,  often  a  little  one-sided,  suture 
distinct ;  color  dull  whitish  yellow,  tinged  and  spotted 
with  pale  red;  stalk  an  inch  and  three-fourths  long, 


THE    CHERRY.  361 

cavity  wide,  shallow;  flesh  rather  firm,  tender  when 
ripe,  sweet,  pleasant.  Quite  early.  Growth  erect. 

Bowyer's  Early  Heart,  Arden's  Ea'rly  Heart,  and  Rivers' 
Early  Amber,  are  either  identical  with  the  Early  White 
Heart,  or  differ  in  no  essential  point. 

Elliott's  Favorite.  Size  medium,  round,  regular,  slightly 
•  compressed  ;  color  pale  amber  yellow,  with  a  bright,  mar- 
bled, carmine-red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
cavity  even  and  regular ;  flesh  pale  amber,  translucent, 
tender,  delicate,  juicy,  with  a  sweet,  fine  flavor.  Season 
medium,  ripening  with  Belle  de  Choisy.  Shoots  vigor- 
ous, diverging.  Origin,  Cleveland,  Ohio.  New. 

Hyde's  Red  Heart.  Size  medium,  heart-shaped ;  colof^be- 
coming  a  lively  red,  tender,  pleasant.  Shoots  strong. 
New. 

Manning's  Mottled.  (Syn.  Mottled  Bigarreau.)  Medium 
or  rather  large,  round-heart-shaped,  suture  distinct ;  color 
amber  shaded  and  mottled  with  red  ;  semi-transparent, 
glossy ;  stalk  slender,  cavity  shallow ;  flesh  yellow,  ten- 
der when  ripe,  sweet,  with  a  good  flavor,  often  only  sec- 
ond-rate. Stone  rather  large.  Season,  medium.  Shoots 
dark.  Productive.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass. 

SPARHAWK'S  HONEY.  Medium  in  size,  round-heart-shaped, 
regular ;  surface  glossy,  pale  amber,  becoming  lively  red  ; 
stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  rather  slender,  cavity 
round,  even;  flesh  juicy,  delicate,  sweet,  of  fine  flavor. 
Rather  late.  Very  productive .  Origin,  Brighton,  Mass. 

Sweet  Montmorency.  Medium  in  size,  round,  slightly  flat- 
tened at  base,  with  a  depressed  point  at  apex ;  color  pale 
amber,  mottled  with  light  red  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  three- 
fourths  long,  slender,  cavity  small,  even;  flesh  yellowish, 
tender,  sweet,  excellent.  Season  very  late  or  past  mid- 
summer. Approaches  somewhat  in  character  the  Morel- 
lo.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass. 

White  Tartarian.  Size  medium,  or  rather  small ;  obtuse 
heart-shaped ;  skin  pale  yellow  or  cream  color,  not  red- 
dened by  the  sun ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slen- 
der ;  flesh  somewhat  pellucid,  whitish  yellow,  half  ten- 
der, with  a  second-rate,  slightly  bitter  flavor. 


362  THE    CHERRY. 

There  are  several  sorts  known  in  this  country  as  White  Tar- 
tarian, differing  from,  and  mostly  superior  to  the  genu- 
ine, the  best  of  which,  considerably  cultivated  in  Western 
New- York,  is  of  medium  size  or  rather  small,  round- 
heart-shaped,  light  pink  in  the  shade,  darker  to  the  sun ; 
flesh  tender,  with  a  sweet,  excellent  flavor;  a  profuse 
bearer ;  growth  rather  slender,  nearly  erect. 

Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

Amber  Gean.  Small,  obtuse  heart-shaped.,  regular,  pellu- 
cid, pale  yellow  shaded  with  faint  red,  stalk  long,  slen- 
der, flesh  white,  sweet,  pleasant ;  very  productive  ;  late. 

Honey.  (Syn.  Late  Honey,  Yellow  Honey,  Large  Honey.) 
Small,,  roundish  oval,  yellowish  marbled  with  red,  becom- 
ing deep  amber  red ;  stalk  long,  slender,  scarcely  sunk ; 
flesh  tender,  exceedingly  sweet ;  a  second  or  third-rate 
variety.  Quite  late.  Very  productive. 

Transparent  Guigne.  (Syn.  Transparent  Gean.)  Rather 
small,  ovate,  slightly  heart-shaped,  regular;  skin  thin, 
glossy,  pellucid,  yellowish  white,  delicately  blotched  with 
pale  red ;  suture  distinct ;  stalk  rather  long,  slender, 
slightly  sunk;  flesh  high-flavored  and  fine,  slightly  bitter 
before  ripe.  Season  rather  late.  Growth  becoming 
spreading,  tree  productive. 

CLASS  II.  BIGARREAU  CHERRIES. 
Sub-Class  I.     Fruit  Hack,  dark  red,  or  crimson. 
Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

Large  Heart-shaped  Bigarreau.  (Syn.  Bigarreau  Gros 
Coeuret,  Bigarreau  Gros  Monstreux.)  Large,  heart- 
shaped,  suture  often  a  raised  line  ;  surface  yellow,  with 
red  streaks,  becoming  blackish  shining  red  ;  cavity  shal- 
low ;  flesh  firm,  purplish,  bitter,  becoming  fine  and  rich ; 
stone  rather  large.  Late.  French.  Rare. 

Manning's  Late  Black.  Large,  roundish,  skin  deep  purple 
nearly  black,  flesh  purplish,  rather  firm,  moderately  juicy 
and  sweet.  Late.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass. 


THE    CHERRY.  ,'  63 

Elkhorn.  (Syn.  Tradescant's  Black-Heart,  Large  Black 
Bigarreau.)  Large,  heart-shaped,  surface  slightly  une- 
ven, black,  stalk  rather  short,  or  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  cavky  rather  deep;  flesh  solid  firm,  not  juicy,  with 
a  high,  fine  flavor,  bitter  before  fully  ripe.  Kather  late. 
Shoots  dark  gray. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Black  Bigarreau.  Size  medium,  heart-shaped,  black,  re- 
sembling externally  the  Black  Heart ;  flesh  firm,  rather 
dry,  flavor  poor.  Rather  late. 

The  Black  Bigarreau  of  Savoy  scarcely  differs  from  this. 

Gridley.  (Syn.  Apple  Cherry.)  Size  medium,  roundish, 
black;  stalk  rather  short,  cavity  shallow;  flesh  purplish, 
firm,  moderately  juicy,  rather  high-flavored.  Stone  small. 
Late.  Profusely  productive,  but  only  second-rate.  Ori 
gin,  Roxbury,  Mass. 

Wendell's  Mottled  Bigarreau.  Medium  or  rather  large,  ob- 
tuse heart-shaped,  dark  red  becoming  nearly  black,  mot- 
tled with  dark  streaks  or  points ;  suture  a  dark  line  on 
one  side  ;  stalk  medium  ;  cavity  round,  regular ;  flesh 
firm,  crisp,  high-flavored ;  stone  small.  Rather  late 
Growth  upright.  Albany,  N.  Y.  New. 

Sub- class  II.     Fruit  bright  red  or  lighter. 

BIGARREAU  OR  GRAFFION.  (Syn.  Yellow  Spanish 
White  Bigarreau  of  Mass.)  Very  large,  often  an  inch  in 
diameter,  obtuse  heart-shaped,  very  smooth,  regular,  base 
flattened  ;  surface  clear,  pale  waxen  yellow,  with  a  hand- 
some light  red  cheek  to  the  sun ;  stalk  an  inch  and  three- 
fourths  long,  cavity  very  wide,  shallow  ;  flesh  firm,  with  a 
fine,  rich  flavor.  Season  medium,  or  last  of  »  mo.,  (June.) 
Shoots  stout,  diverging  or  spreading.  This  variety,  al- 
though not  of  the  highest  flavor,  has  become,  from  its  great 
size,  beauty,  and  productiveness,  a  general  favorite. 

The  Late  Bigarreau,  originated  with  Dr.  Kirtland,  of  Cleve- 
land, resembles  this,  but  is  slightly  less  in  size,  deeper 
red,  and  ripens  about  ten  days  later. 


364 


THE    CHERRY. 


CLEVELAND  BIGARREAU.  Very  large,  round-heart-shaped, 
suture  broad  and  deep  half  way  round  ;  color,  bright, 
clear,  delicate  red,  or  amber  yellow ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  curved;  flesh  firm,  juicy,  sweet,  very  rich. 
Season  early,  or  with  Black  Tartarian,  Resembles  the 
Graffion,  but  ten  days  earlier.  Origin,  Cleveland,  O 
New. 

ELTON.  Large,  pointed,  heart-shaped,  somewhat  oblong, 
pale  yellow  blotched  and  shaded  with  red  ;  stalk  two 
inches  long,  slender ;  flesh  firm,  becoming  rather  tender, 
rich,  high-flavored,  excellent.  Season  medium  or  rather 
early.  Growth  spreading,  rather  bending,  petioles  red- 
dish purple.  A  cross  between  the  Graffion  and  White 
Heart.  One  of  the  finest  of  cherries.  English.  Ra- 
ther tender  in  very  severe  climates. 

The  Flesh-Colored  Bigarreau,  or  the  Large  Heart-Shaped 
Bigarre.au  of  Manning,  the  Bigarreau  Couleur  de  Chair 


THE    CHERRY.  365 

of  the  French,  very  nearly  resembles  or  is  identical  with 
the  Elton. 

FLORENCE.  (Syn.  Knevett's  Late.)  Large,  heart-shaped, 
regular,  smooth,  amber  yellow  marbled  with  red,  and 
with  a  red  cheek ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long ;  flesh 
firm,  juicy,  sweet ;  season,  rather  late.  Resembles  Graf- 
fion,  but  hardly  so  large,  and  ten  days  later. 

HOLLAND  BIGARREAU.  (Sy?i.  Spotted  Bigarreau.)  Large, 
rather  oblong-heart-shaped,  apex  somewhat  pointed  ;  sur- 
face whitish  in  the  shade,  mottled  and  spotted  red  next 
the  sun;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender,  cavity 
large  and  deep  ;  fruit  in  thick  clusters  ;  flesh  firm,  sweet, 
fine,  but  not  of  the  highest  flavor.  Season  a  little  before 
medium.  Leaves  large  and  broad. 

KIRTLAND'S  MARY.  Quite  large,  round  heart-shaped,  reg- 
ular, base  somewhat  flattened ;  color  light  and  dark  red, 
deeply  marbled,  on  a  yellow  ground ;  stalk  an  inch  and 
a  fourth  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long ;  flesh  light  yellow, 
half  tender,  rich,  juicy,  sweet,  high-flavored.  Season 
medium,  or  with  the  Elton.  Origin,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
New. 

Large  Red  Bigarreau.  Large,  oblong-heart-shaped,  surface 
uneven,  one  side  swollen,  shoulders  projecting,  sutures 
distinct ;  stalk  large,  cavity  large  and  deep  ;  skin  yellow- 
ish, dotted  and  streaked  with  red  in  the  shade,  dark  red 
in  the  sun ;  flesh  yellowish,  red  at  the  stone,  firm,  rich, 
of  fine  flavor.  Rather  late.  Growth  very  strong.  French. 
Rare. 

NAPOLEON  BIGARREAU.  Very  large,  regularly  heart-shaped, 
remotely  oblong ;  skin  pale  yellow  and  amber,  spotted 
and  shaded  with  deep  red  ;  stalk  very  short,  an  inch  and 
a  fourth  long ;  flesh  very  firm,  with  a  fine  but  hardly 
first  rate  flavor.  Rather  late.  Shoots  with  a  light  green- 
ish cast.  Growth  rather  erect,  vigorous.  Very  produc- 
tive, and  good  for  market,  but  too  firm  and  deficient  in 
flavor  for  the  small  garden. 

ROCKPORT  BIGARREAU.  Quite  large,  round  heart- 
shaped  ;  color,  when  fully  ripe,  a  beautiful  clear  red, 
shaded  with  pale  amber,  with  occasional  spots  ;  stalk  an 


366 


THE    CHERRY. 


inch    and   a    half   long,  cavity   wide ;    flesh  firm,  juicy, 
sweet,    rich,    with    an    excellent  flavor.      Season  rather 

early.  Tree  upright,  vi- 
gorous. Origin,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio  ;  one  of  the 
best  of  Dr.  Kirtland's 
new  seedlings. 

WHITE  BIGARREAU.  (Syn. 
Large  White  Bigar- 
reau,  White  Ox-Heart.) 
Large,  heart  -  shaped, 
tapering  to  obtuse  apex  ; 
suture  distinct ;  surface 
slightly  wavy,  yellowish 
white  marbled  with 
red ;  flesh  moderately 
firm,  or  half  tender, 
very  rich  and  delicate. 
Season  medium.  A 
moderate  bearer  when 
young,  more  productive 
afterwards  ;  liable  to  crack  after  rain ;  tree  rather  ten- 
der ;  growth  spreading. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

AMERICAN  HEART.  Medium,  or  rather  large,  rectangular 
heart-shaped ;  color,  light  red  or  pink,  mixed  with  am- 
ber ;  stalk  nearly  two  inches  long,  slender,  cavity  small 
and  shallow ;  flesh  half  tender,  adhering  to  the  rather 
tough  skin,  juicy,  sweet,  fine,  hardly  first  rate.  Very 
productive.  Early. 

F.  R.  Elliot  says  that  the  Swedish  resembles  the  American 
Heart,  but  ripens  with  the  Mayduke. 

Burr's  Seedling.  Size  medium,  or  rather  large,  distinct 
heart-shaped,  smooth,  a  fine  deep  clear  red,  often  spotted 
or  marbled,  stem  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  mode- 
rate ;  flesh  half-tender,  (about  as  firm  as  American  Heart, 
from  which  it  probably  originated,)  sweet,  rich,  with  a 
fine  flavor.  Growth  vigorous,  very  productive.  Season, 
medium.  Origin,  Perrinton,  N.  Y.  New. 


Fig.  278— Rockport 
Bigarreau. 


Fig.  279 — Napoleon 
Bigarreau. 


THE    CHERRY.  367 

Buttner's  Yellow.  Medium  in  size,  roundish,  somewhat  ob- 
tuse-cordate, base  distinctly  flattened  ;  surface  clear  pale 
yellow,  not  reddened  by  the  sun ;  stalk  short,  flesh  yel- 
lowish, firm,  crisp,  sweet,  good ;  stone  quite  small.  Late. 
Growth  vigorous.  Origin,  Halle,  Germany. 

China  Bigarreau.  Medium  in  size,  oval-heart-shaped,  some- 
what roundish,  suture  distinct ;  color,  amber  mottled  with 
red,  becoming  red ;  stalk  long,  slender,  cavity  shallow ; 
flesh  half-tender  when  ripe,  with  a  rather  rich  and  pecu- 
liar, second  rate  flavor.  Season,  rather  late.  Shoots  spread- 
ing. Origin,  Flushing,  L.  I. 

Downi?ig's  Red  Cheek.  Size  medium  or  rather  large,  ob- 
tuse heart-shaped,  regular,  suture  distinct ;  color  with  a 
broad  crimson  cheek-;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  ca» 
vity  of  medium  size ;  flesh  half  tender,  delicate,  sweet, 
rich,  nearly  first  rate.  Rather  early.  Origin,  Newburgh, 
N.  Y. 

Hildesheim.  (Syn.  Hildesheim  Bigarreau,  Bigarreau  Tar- 
dif  de  Hildesheim.)  Size  medium;  heart-shaped;  color, 
yellow  mottled  and  marbled  with  red  ;  flesh  yellow,  firm, 
sweet,  agreeable.  Very  late.  German. 

Lady  Southampton's  Yellow.  Size  medium,  heart-shaped, 
yellow  with  no  tinge  of  red,  flesh  firm,  not  juicy,  flavor 
rather  poor.  Late. 

Madison  Bigarreau.  Size  medium,  regular  heart-shaped 
amber  yellow,  dotted  and  marbled  with  red ;  stalk  rather 
short,  slender ;  flesh  half-tender,  sweet,  pleasant,  of  fine 
flavor.  Season  medium  or  rather  early.  A  good  bearer. 
Shoots  spreading.  Origin,  Salem,  Mass.  Flesh  almost 
too  tender  to  be  included  with  the  bigarreaus. 

Section  ffl.     Fruit  small. 

Remington.  (Syn.  Remington  White  Heart.)  Small,  heart- 
shaped,  yellow,  rarely  a  faint  red-cheek,  rather  dry,  bit- 
ter, worthless.  Ripens  about  the  end  of  summer  or  early 
in  autumn,  its  lateness  being  its  only  recommendation. 
Origin,  Rhode  Island. 

16* 


368 


THE    CHERRY. 


DIVISION  II.     FRUIT  ROUND. 

CLASS  I.     DUKE  CHERRIES. 
Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

ARCH  DUKE.  (Syn.  Portugal  Duke,  Late  Arch  Duke.)  Very 
large,  round-heart-shaped,  slightly  flattened,  dark  shining 
red,  becoming  nearly  black  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long, 
slender,  deep-sunk ;  flesh  light  red,  when  matured  rich, 
sub-acid,  slightly  bitter  till  fully  ripe,  of  fine  flavor,  hardly 
equal  in  quality  to  Mayduke.  Season  very  late,  or  just 
before  midsummer.  One  fourth  larger  than  Mayduke, 
and  tree  more  spreading,  and  with  thicker  and  darker 
foliage.  Rare. 

BELLE  MAGNIFIQUE.     Quite   large,   roundish,   inclining   to 

heart-shaped ;  color  a  fine  rich 
red,  portions  of  the  surface  of- 
ten a  lighter  hue  ;  stalk  slender, 
nearly  two  inches  long,  cavity 
large ;  flavor  rather  mild  for 
this  class,  fine,  but  not  of  the 
highest  quality.  One  of  the 
best  late  varieties,  ripening 
about  midsummer.  Productive. 
Growth  resembles  that  of  the 
Mayduke  in  form.  French. 

BELLE  DE  CHOISY.  Size  medium, 
round,  very  even,  obscurely  ob- 
late ;  skin  thin,  translucent, 
showing  the  netted  texture  of 
the  flesh ;  stalk  rather  short, 
slender  ;  flesh  pale  amber,  mot- 
tled with  yellowish  red,  becom- 
ing in  the  sun,  a  fine  cornelian 
red ;  flesh  very  tender,  very 
juicy  and  melting,  with  a  fine 
mild,  sub-acid  flavor,  becoming 
nearly  sweet ;  season  rather 
early.  Moderately. productive  ; 
needs  good  cultivation.  French. 


Fig.  280.— Belle 
de  C/ioisy. 


Fig.  281.— Belle 
Magnijique. 


THE    CHERRY. 


369 


Late  Duke.  Large,  obtuse  roundish  heart-shaped,  slightly 
oblate ;  color  light,  mottled  with  bright  red  at  first,  be- 
coming rich  dark  red  when  ripe ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a 
half  long,  rather  slender,  cavity  shallow ;  flesh  pale  am- 
ber, sub-acid,  not  rich,  much  less  so  than  Mayduke ;  sea- 
son very  late,  or  a  little  after  midsummer.  Tree  more 
spreading  than  Mayduke,  and  foliage  rather  more  com- 
pact, approaching  somewhat  the  character  of  a  JVIorello. 

Le  Merrier,  a  new  French  variety,  resembles  Late  Duke, 
and  ripens  at  the  same  time — it  is  roundish,  remotely 
heart-shaped,  obtuse  ;  suture  shallow,  ending  in  a  point 
at  apex ;  surface  light  shining  red,  marbled  with  deeper 
red — about  second-rate. 

MAYDUKE.  Large,  roundish,  obtuse  heart-shaped ;  color 
red  at  first,  becoming  when  mature  nearly  black  ;  flesh 
reddish,  becoming  dark  purple,  very  juicy  and  melting, 
rich,  acid,  excellent.  It  is  frequently  picked  when  red 
immature,  and  not  fully  grown,  and  imperfect  in  fla- 
vor. Quite  early — but  often  varying  greatly  and  perma- 
nently in  its  season  of  ripening,  even  on  the  same  tree. 
Holman's  Duke  and  Late  Mayduke  are  only  late  varia- 
tions perpetuated  by  grafting.  Growth  upright  for  a  Duke. 
Very  hardy,  and  adapted  to  all  localities. 

ROYAL  DUKE.  (Syn.  Royal  Tardive.)  Very  large,  round- 
ish, distinctly  oblate,  surface  dark  red ;  flesh  reddish,  ten- 
der, juicy,  rich ;  season  rather  late.  Growth  like  the 
Mayduke.  Rare. 

Much  confusion  has  existed  relative  to  the  different  Duke 
cherries.  Most  of  the  sorts  disseminated  in  this  country  are 
only  sub-varieties  of  the  Mayduke.  The  Arch  Duke  and 
the  Late  Duke  are  distinguished  by  their  spreading  branches  ; 
and  the  Mayduke  and  Royal  Duke  by  their  more  upright  or 
fastigiate  growth.  The  Late  Duke  is  distinguished  from 
the  Arch  Duke,  by  its  more  oblate  fruit,  and  from  the  May- 
duke by  its  late  maturity  and  paler  flesh.  The  Royal  Duke 
is  remarkable  for  its  distinct  oblate  form. 


370  THE    CHERRY. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Jeffrey's  Duke.  (Syn.  Jeffrey's  Royal,  Royale.)  Size  me- 
dium, round,  obscurely  oblate  ;  color  a  fine  lively  red  ; 
stalk  medium  ;  flesh  amber  with  a  tinge  of  red,  rich, 
juicy,  of  fine  flavor.  Growth  slow,  very  compact,  fruit 
in  thick  clusters  ;  season  medium.  Resembles  Mayduke, 
but  smaller,  rounder,  and  lighter  colored.  Rare  in  thia 
country. 

CLASS  II.     MORELLOS. 
Section  I.     Fruit  large. 

Carnation.  Large,  round,  yellowish  white,  mottled  and 
marbled  with  fine  orange  red ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  fourth 
long,  stout ;  flesh  slighty  firmer  than  most  of  this  class, 
a  little  bitter  at  first,  becoming  mild  acid,  and  with  a  rich 
fine  flavor  ;  growth  spreading  ;  leaves  resembling  thoso 
of  a  heart  cherry.  Very  late,  ripening  about  midsum 
mer. 

Prince's  Duke  is  a  large  sub-variety,  but  a  very  poor  bearer 
and  of  little  value, 

Morello.  (Syn.  English  Morello,  Large  Morello,  Dutch 
Morello.)  Rather  large,  approaching  medium  ;  round, 
obscurely  heart-shaped  ;  dark  red,  becoming  nearly  black 
flesh  dark  purplish  crimson,  of  a  rich  acid,  mixed  with  a 
slight  astringency.  Season  very  late,  or  after  midsum- 
mer. In  England,  its  ripening  is  retarded  till  autumn 
.by  the  shading  of  a  wall.  Rare  in  this  country. 

The  common  Morello  is  a  smaller  sub-variety,  a  little  darker 
and  with  smaller  branches. 

PLUMSTONE  MORELLO.  'Large,  roundish-heart-shaped;  co- 
lor deep  red  ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  slender, 
straight;  cavity  moderate  ;  flesh  reddish,  of  a  rich  acid 
flavor.  Very  late,  or  after  midsummer.  Stone  rather 
long  and  pointed.  The  most  valuable  of  the  Morellos. 

Rumsey's  Late  Morello.  Large,  round  heart-shpped,  smooth, 
polished,  light  red,  becoming  a  lively  red  ;  suture  dis- 
tinct ;  stalk  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  cavity  rather  nar- 


THE    CHERRY.  371 

row  and  deep ;  flesh  juicy,  very  acid,  stone  like  the  Plum- 
stone  Morello.  Very  late,  ripening  at  the  end  of  sum- 
mer and  beginning  of  autumn.  Too  sour  for  the  table, 
culinary  only.  Origin,  Fiihkill,  N.  Y.  New. 

Section  II.     Fruit  medium  in  size. 

Buttner's  October  Morello.  Size  medium,  round,  flavor 
very  acid,  one  of  the  latest  cherries,  ripening  in  autumn, 
and  unworthy  of  cultivation.  Dutch.  New. 

Flemish.  (Sy?i.  Montmorency  of  Lind.}  Size  medium, 
distinctly  oblate,  bright  red,  usually  in  pairs,  stalk  very 
short  or  three-fourths  of  an  inch  long,  cavity  deep,  fur- 
rowed on  one  side  ;  sub-acid,  fl.avor  moderate.  A  poor 
bearer.  Very  late. 

Kentish.  (Sy?i.  Early  Richmond,  Virginian  May,  Kentish 
Red,  English  Pie  Cherry.)  Rather  small  becoming  me- 
dium when  well  ripened,  round,  slightly  oblate,  growing  in 
pairs  ;  color  a  full  red  ;  stalk  an  inch  or  an  inch  and  a 
fourth  long,  rather  stout ;  fle;h  very  juicy,  acid,  moder- 
ately rich.  Stone  adhering  strongly  to  the  stalk,  often 
withdrawing  it  from  the  fruit  when  picked.  Very  pro- 
ductive;  fine  for  early  cooking ,  ripens  early  and  hangs 
long  on  the  tree. 

Pie  Cherry,  (American.)  (Syn.  Late  Kentish  of  Down- 
ing, Common  Red,  American  Kentish.)  Size  medium, 
approaching  small,  roundish,  slightly  oblate ;  stalk  an 
inch  to  an  inch  and  a  half  long,  stout ;  color  light  red ; 
flesh  very  juicy,  quite  acid,  moderately  rich.  Rather 
late.  Stone  not  adhering  to  the  stalk,  as  with  the  pre- 
ceding. Very  productive ;  a  good  culinary  sort. 

Section  III.     Fruit  small. 

Cluster.  (Syn.  Cerise  a  Bouquet.)  Small,  in  clusters  of 
two  to  six  on  a  common  peduncle  ;  round,  red,  quite  acid 
rather  late.  Of  little  value.  Tree  small. 

Early  May.  (Syn.  Cerise  Indulle.)  Small,  round,  ap- 
proaching oblate,  bright  high  red ;  stalls  an  inch  long ; 
flesh  juicy,  acid,  good.  Very  early. 


CHAPTER     VIII. 


THE    GOOSEBERRY    AND    CURRANT. 


THE  CURRANT,  from  its  hardiness,  free  growth,  easy  cul- 
ture, great  and  uniform  productiveness,  pleasant  flavor,  and 
early  ripening,  is  one  of -the  most  valuable  of  our  summer 
fruits. 

It  is  propagated,  like  the  gooseberry,  from  cuttings,  for 
which  vigorous  shoots  of  the  last  year's  production  should 
be  chosen.  Half  the  buds  only  at  the  top  of  the  shoot,  should 
be  left ;  and  the  plants  may  be  kept  trained  up  to  a  single 
stem,  a  few  inches  high,  when  the  branches  should  radiate 
on  all  sides  in  an  upward  direction  so  as  to  form  a  hand- 
some spreading  top.  Currant  bushes,  if  permitted  to  sucker 
moderately,  will  however  endure  for  a  longer  time,  as  the 
new  shoots,  sending  out  roots  of  their  own,  afford  in  fact  a 
spontaneous  renewal.  But  .care  is  needed  that  they  do 
not  form  too  dense  a  growth. 

Currants,  from  their  hardiness,  usually  receive  no  atten- 
tion nor  culture,  but  are  suffered  to  become  overrun  with 
weeds  and  grass,  and  to  become  crowded  with  a  profusion 
of  suckers.  Small  and  inferior  fruit  is  the  result.  A  great 
improvement  both  in  size  and  quality,  is  made  by  rich  soil, 
good  cultivation,  and  judicious  pruning.  The  difference  in 
flavor  between  fruit  ripened  on  well  trimmed  branches,  with 
air  and  sun  freely  admitted  to  the  fully  grown  leaves,  and 
that  which  is  shaded  by  a  crowded  growth  of  foliage,  is 
greater  than  most  who  have  not  witnessed  the  experiment 
would  believe. 

The  various  modes  of  using,  drying,  and  preserving  cur- 
rants, in  tarts,  jellies,  &c.,  are  familiar  to  all;  the  follow- 
ing mode,  by  which  the  green  fruit  may  be  kept  for  any 
length  of  time,  in  as  good  condition  as  when  gathered,  may 


THE    CURRANT.  373 

prove  useful :  Pick  the  fruit  when  fully  grown,  dry  the 
surface  well  without  shrivelling,  and  cork  tight  in  glass 
bottles,  covering  the  corks  with  sealing  wax;  then  bury 
the  bottles  to  the  neck  in  sand  or  earth  in  a  cool  cei- 
lar.  This  method  may  be  successfully  applied  to  the  goose- 
berry. 

VARIETIES. 

Class  I.     Red  and  White  Currants^  (Riles  rubrum.) 

Champagne.  Size  medial,  pale  pink,  quite  acid,  not  of 
high  flavor ;  a  curiosity. 

Cherry  Currant.  Very  large,  nearly  twice  the  size  of  the 
common  Red  Dutch,  round,  light  red,  clusters  moderately 
short,  quite  acid.  Growth  large,  tall,  and  luxuriant. 
Rather  unproductive.  Italy.  New. 

DUTCH,  RED.  A  little  larger  than  the  common  red  currant, 
and  clusters  much  longer,  and  a  little  less  acid.  Proba- 
bly the  best  red  currant. 

DUTCH,  WHITE.     Nearly  resembles  the  common  white  cur- 
ant,  but  with  longer  clusters,  and  with  fruit  less  approach- 
ing oblate.     The  best  white. 

Knight's  Early  Red.  It  ripens  ten  days  earlier  than  the 
other  sorts,  which  comprises  its  merit. 

Knight's  Sweet  Red.  Less  acid  than  most  varieties,  and 
rather  less  so  than  the  White  Dutch — paler  in  color  than 
the  common  red. 

Ways  Victoria.  Rather  large,  scarcely  larger  than  Red 
Dutch,  flavor  rather  acid — hangs  long,  and  valuable  for 
its  lateness.  Rivers  says  it  is  undoubtedly  the  same  as 
Goliath,  "  an  excellent  late  currant." 

Striped  Fruited.  Striped  with  white  and  red  —  rare. 
Germany. 

White  Grape  Currant.  Quite  large,  rather  larger  than 
White  Dutch,  bunches  shorter,  and  hardly  equal  in  flavor. 


374  THE    GOOSEBERRY. 

Class  II.     Black  Currants,  (Ribes  nigrum.} 

Common  Black  or  Black  English.  Large,  one  third  of  an 
inch  in  diameter,  quite  black,  clusters  very  short ;  with  a 
strong  odor,  flavor  poor. 

Black  Naples.  Largest  of  'all  currants,  sometimes  five- 
eighths  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  resembling  in  flavor  the 
preceding,  but  ripening  later,  and  with  larger  clusters. 
The  largest  currant  known.  Sometime  used  for  jellies. 


THE    GOOSEBERRY. 

The  Gooseberry,*  as  mostly  cultivated  in  this  country,  is 
a  native  of  the  North  of  Europe.  The  American  species 
have  very  rarely  or  never  been  improved  by  cultivation. 
The  foreign  species  has  been  multipiied  into  thousands  ot 
varieties  in  England.  The  catalogue  of  the  London  Hor- 
ticultural Society  enumerates  149  sorts  worthy  of  notice, 
anil  Lindley  gives  a  list  of  more  than  700  prize  sorts. 
Large  numbers  of  these  are,  of  course,  distinguished  by 
the  slightest  distinctive  shades.  Some,  by  the  most  perfect 
culture,  with  pruning,  and  thinning  the  fruit  on  the  branch- 
es, have  been  made  to  attain  a  diameter  of  two  inches,  and 
a  weight  of  an  ounce  and  a  half.  But  such  mammoth  sorts 
are  usually  neither  so  good  in  flavor  nor  so  profitable  for 
raising  as  those  of  a  medium  size. 

The  productiveness  of  the  gooseberry,  under  good  man- 
agement, is  very  great.  The  Whitesmith  and  some  other 
varieties  frequently  bear  so  copiously,  that  the  fruit  is  strung 
along  the  branches  in  actual  contact,  for  several  inches  to- 
gether. Finer  fruit,  it  is  true,  may  be  had  by  thinning, 
when  the  berries  are  yet  small ;  and  the  exhaustion  is  less 
than  when  the  bushes  are  heavily  laden. 

Some  instances  of  great  productiveness  are  given  by  B. 
G.  Boswell,  in  the  Horticulturist.  In  one  instance,  a  gar- 
dener near  Philadelphia,  gathered  from  two  rows,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet  long,  six  bushels,  which  sold  for  twenty- 
four  dollars ;  and  another  cultivator  in  the  same  neighbor- 
hood, gathered  thirteen  quarts  from  a  single  plant. 

*  Supposed  to  have  been  formerly  much  used  as  a  sauce  with  green  goose,  whence 
its  name. 


•      THE    GOOSEBERRY.  375 

Propagation  and  Culture.  The  Gooseberry  is  propagated 
from  cuttings,  in  a  manner  quite  similar  to  the  currant. 
The  soil  should  be  a  good  strong  loam,  and  made  unusually 
deep  by  trenching,  to  secure  the  bushes  from  drought.  It 
should  be  kept  fertile  by  application  of  manure.  The  prun- 
ing should  be  freely  performed  as  soon  as  the  leaves  are  off, 
by  a  thorough  thinning  out  of  the  branches.  The  shoots 
should  be  left,  evenly  distributed  over  the  bush,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent crowding  of  the  leaves,  for  it  must  be  remembered 
that  with  this  as  well  as  with  all  other  plants  or  trees,  the 
growth  and  ripening  of  the  fruit  depends  wholly  on  the  ad- 
mission  of  light  and  air  to  the  LEAVES,  and  on  their  full  and 
healthy  developmerit. 

Mildew.  This  is  the  most  serious  obstacle  to  the  success- 
ful cultivation  of  the  gooseberry  in  the  United  States.  In  the 
cool  and  moist  climate  of  England,  it  docs  not  exist ;  in  the 
extreme  northern  parts  of  the  Union,  it  is  not  formidable  ; 
but  on  approaching  the  Middle  States,  although  the  bushes 
grow  vigorously  and  set  abundant  crops  of  young  fruit,  the 
latter  become  covered  with  a  thick  brown  or  grey  mildew 
or  scurf,  which  wholly  destroys  their  value. 

Manuring,  high  cultivation,  and  pruning,  will  in  some 
cases  prove  sufficient  to  prevent  mildew.  This  may  be  as- 
sisted by  the  cautious  application  of  salt, — either  thinly 
over  the  soil,  or  directly  upon  the  plant ;  in  the  latter  case, 
the  solution  should  be  so  thin,  that  the  saline  taste  may  be 
iust  perceptible.  But  shading  by  a  thick  coat  of  salt  hay, 
appears  to  be  the  most  efficient  remedy.  It  should  be  spread 
in  a  layer  of  several  inches  or  even  a  foot  in  thickness, 
crowding  it  down  to  make  room  for  the  branches.  This 
should  be  done  in  spring.  It  has  proved  quite  successful  in 
a  multitude  of  instances,  even  as  far  south  as  Delaware. 
In  inland  districts  where  sea-weed  or  salt  hay  cannot  be  had, 
a  convenient  substitute  consists  in  placing  coarse  hay  or 
straw  beneath  the  bushes,  and  then  applying  a  solution  of 
salt  with  a  watering  pot,  avoiding  direct  contact  with  the 
bushes,  if  the  solution  be  strong. 


376 


THE    GOOSEBERRY. 


VARIETIES. 

A  few  only  can  be  mentioned  within  the  present  limits, 
out  of  a  vast  assemblage  of  hundreds.  Most  of  the  fine  Eng- 
lish sorts  have  either  been  tried  here  to  a  very  limited  ex- 
tent, or  not  tried  at  all ;  but  among  a  few  which  have  proved 
particularly  successful,  the  following  may  be  mentioned : — 

CROWN  BOB.  (Syn.  Melling's  Crown  Bob.)  Large,  often  an 

inch  and  a 
fourth  long, 
roundish  oval, 
red,  hairy, 
flavor  of  first 
quality ;  bran- 
ches spread- 
ing or  droop- 
ing. 

ROARING  LION. 
(Syn.  Farrow's 
Roaring  Lion.) 
Very  large, ob- 
long oval,  red 

Fig.  232— Crown  Bob.  Smooth  ;       fla- 

vor  fine,  hangs  long,  branches  drooping. 

WHITESMITH. 
( Sy?i.  Woodward's 
Whitesmith.)  Ra- 
ther large,  a  little 
over  an  inch  long 
roundish  oval, 
slightly  approach- 
ing oblong,  yel- 
lowish white,very 
slightly  downy, 
flavor  of  first 
quality;  branches 
rather  erect. 
RED  WARRINGTON. 
Rather  large, 
roundish  oblong, 
hairy ;  flavor  of 

Fig.  283-  Whitesmith. 


THE    GOOSEBERRY. 


377 


first    quality.     Han{ 
proves  in  flavor.     ] 


s   long   without   cracking,    and   im- 
>ranches  drooping. 


PARKINSON'S  LAUREL.     Large,  obovate,  green,   downy,  fla- 
vor of  first  quality ;  branches  rather  erect. 

WELLINGTON'S  GLORY.     Large,  rather   oval,   very    downy, 
skin  quite  thin  ;  flavor  excellent;  branches  erect. 

HOUGHTON'S  SEEDLING.     Fruit  small,  oval,  commonly  about 

three-fourths  of 
an  inch  long ; 
,skin  smooth, thin, 
jlossy,  a  pale, 
dull  reddish 

brown,  marked 
with  faint  green- 
ish lines  ;  flesh 
tender,  juicy, 
sweet,  pleasant. 
Ripens  soon  after 
midsummer.  Not 
high-flavored,  as 
compared  with 
the  bestEuropean 
sorts,  but  a  pro- 
fuse bearer,  al- 
ways free  of  mil- 
dew, and  of  very 

Fig.  234— Haughton's  Seedling.  easy     Cultivation. 

A  seedling  from  a  wild  American  species;  origin,  Salem, 
Mass. 


CHAPTER     IX. 


THE    KASPBERRY. 


Propagation.  Most  varieties  are  increased  with  great 
facility  by  suckers;  a  few,  as  the  American  Black  and 
American  White,  are  propagated  readily  by  layers,  the  tips 
of  the  recurved  branches  when  slightly  buried,  soon  taking 
root.  New  varieties  are  raised  from  seeds,  and  come  into 
bearing  the  second  year. 

The  soil  for  the  raspberry  should  be  rich  and  approaching 
moist,  and  an  admixture  of  swamp  muck  is  useful.  A  strong 
deep  loam,  is  the  only  soil  from  which  a  full  crop  may  be 
expected  every  season.  If  sandy  or  gravelly,  or  a  stiff,  cold 
clay,  it  cannot  be  relied  upon.  But  the  most  important 
requisite  is  depth,  only  to  be  attained  by  deep  trenching, 
and  which  will  go  far  towards  affording  a  remedy  for  any 
natural  defect  of  the  soil.  The  most  tender  varieties,  as  the 
White  Antwerp,  may  be  raised  on  higher,  drier  and  firmer 
spots  of  ground,  being  there  less  liable  to  severe  frosts  in 
cases  where  winter  covering  cannot  be  applied. 

The  culture  is  simple.  It  consists  in  pruning  each  spring, 
keeping  all  weeds  and  grass  well  cleared  away  from  the 
stems,  and  the  soil  mellow  and  clean  by  cultivation. 

The  pruning  should  be  done  early  in  spring.  It  consists 
in  cutting  out  all  but  the  last  year's  growth,  together  with 
all  the  smaller  shoots,  even  with  the  ground,  leaving  only 
five  or  six  of  the  last  summer's  canes  for  future  bearing. 
These  are  to  be  cut  off  three  or  four  feet  high,  and  neatly 
tied  together,  using  a  stake  to  stiffen  them  if  necessary.  In 
tying,  they  should  be  allowed  to  spread  slightly  at  the  top, 
in  the  form  of  a  wine  glass.  The  distance  asunder  should 
be  about  four  feet. 


THE    RASPBERRY. 


37S 


The  accompanying  figures  exhibit  a  mode  of  training  the 
raspberry  recommended  in  the  Gardener's  Chronicle.  In 
fig.  285,  representing  the  appearance  in  autumn,  the  arched 


Fig.  2S5 

portions,  tied  to  the  stake  in  the  centre,  are  the  canes  which 
have  borne  fruit,  and  which  must  be  cut  down  to  the 
ground,  to  be  replaced  by  the  upright  which  have  just  com- 
pleted their  growth,  and  which  are  to  be  trained  in  the  man- 
ner represented  by  fig.  286. 


Fig.  286. 

In  many  parts  of  the  Northern  States,  some  tender  varie- 
ties, and  more  especially  the  White  Antwerp,  need  winter 
protection.  This  is  easily  given,  by  covering  the  stems, 
when  prostrate,  very  thinly  with  earth;  placing  a  small  mound 
of  earth  against  the  bottom  of  the  stems  before  laying  them 
down,  to  bend  upon  and  prevent  breaking.  This  covering 
is  removed  early  in  spring.  It  will  be  found  to  prove  very 
useful,  even  when  not  necessary  to  prevent  winter-killing, 
by  rendering  the  crop  larger  and  more  certain. 

A  plantation  of  raspberries  will  continue  in  bearing  five 
or  six  years,  when  it  should  be  renewed.  If  it  remain 
longer,  the  fruit  becomes  small,  and  the  crop  gradually  de- 
clines. 


380 


THE    RASPBERRY. 


VARIETIES. 

American  Black.  (Syn.  Thirnble-berry,  Common  Black 
cap.)  Rather  small,  hemispherical,  flavor  rich,  sub-acid. 
Rather  late.  Shoots  long,  purple,  recurved. 

The  American  White  is  similar  in  all  respects,  but  with  light 
yellow  fruit  and  shoots. 

American  Red.  (Syn.  Common  Red.)  Size  medium,  round- 
ish, light  red,  sub-acid ;  shoots  vigorous,  long.  Rather 
early. 

Ba?'net.  Very  large,  roundish-conical,  bright  purplish-red, 
flavor  rich,  agreeable  ;  canes  long,  yellowish  green,  much 
branched,  when  young  very  bristly  towards  the  top. 

COL.  WILDER.  ($yn.  Gushing.) 
Very  large,  roundish,  slightly  co- 
nical, cream-colored,  semi-tran- 
sparent ;  flavor  fine.  Growth  very 
vigorous,  quite  hardy,  productive, 
ripening  early,  and  for  several 
successive  weeks.  New  ;  raised 
by  Dr.  Brinckl%  of  Philadelphia, 
from  seed  of  the  FastolfF. 

Cretan  Red.  Size  medium,  round- 
ish-conical, deep  purplish  red, 
sub-acid,  good  ;  canes  rather  up- 
right, grey,  nearly  smooth  ;  leaves 
light-colored.  Rather  late.  Pro- 
ductive, and  succeeds  well  on 
light  soils. 

Fig.  287.— Col.   Wilder. 

FASTOLFF.  Very  large,  obtuse,  conical,,  somewhat  round- 
ish, bright  purplish  red,  rich,  high-flavored.  Rather  larger 
than  Red  Antwerp,  more  obtuse,  softer,  and  hardly  so 
high-flavored.  Canes  rather  erect;  branching. 

FRANCONIA.  Very  large,  rather  firm,  obtuse-conical,  dark 
red,  flavor  rich,  sub-acid  ;  canes  strong,  spreading,  branch- 
ing, yellowish  brown.  Leaves  rather  narrow.  A  few 
days  later  than  Red  Antwerp.  Productive.  Hardy. 


THE    RASPBERRY. 


381 


Ohio  Everbearing.  Resembles,  in  all  respects,  the  Ameri- 
can Black,  except  in  a  continued  succession  of  fruit  till 
mid-autumn. 


Fig.  283.— Fastdff.  Fig.  289.— Red  Antwerp. 

RED  ANTWERP.  (Syn.  True  Red  Antwerp.)  Very  large, 
conical,  dull  red ;  flavor  rich  and  sweet.  Canes  mode- 
rately strong,  yellowish  green,  becoming  pale  brown, 
prickles  not  numerous.  Ripens  about  midsummer. 

An  inferior  sort,  of  smaller  size,  is  disseminated  under 
this  name — it  is  distinguished  from  the  genuine  by  its 
round,  obtuse  form,  while  the  true  is  somewhat  conical 
and  pointed. 

In  southern  Virginia  and  Carolina,  the  Antweps  fail  from 
the  heat  of  the  sun. 

Yellow  Antwerp.  (Syn.  White  Antwerp.)  Quite  large, 
conical,  often  long-conical,  light  yellow,  with  fine  bristles  ; 
flavor  very  rich  and  excellent.  Rather  tender — needs 
winter  protection  at  the  north,  which  renders  it  less  valu- 
able than  some  other  sorts  of  no  better  flavor. 


CHAPTER  X. 


THE    STRAWBERRY. 


THE  cultivation  of  this  early  and  delicious  fruit,  so  uni- 
versally esteemed,  is  much  neglected  through  the  country  at 
large.  Failure  from  bad  management  has  doubtless  con 
tributed  to  this  neglect. 

The  requisites  for  success,  are  chiefly, 

1.  A  good,  deep,  rich  soil ; 

2.  Clean  cultivation  between  the  rows ; 

3.  A  renewal  by  planting  as  often  as  once  in  three  years ; 

4.  Selection  of  suitable  varieties. 

Soil.  Any  deep,  rich  soil,  which  will  afford  fine  crops  of 
corn  and  potatoes,  is  well  adapted  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
strawberry.  To  be  uniformly  productive,  it  must  be  deep- 
ly trenched,  either  by  the  spade  or  by  double  plowing,  and 
well  enriched  with  manure.  Fine  crops,  it  is  true,  may  be 
obtained  without  trenching,  but  not  in  such  excellence,  pro- 
fusion, nor  certainty,  in  all  seasons.  It  rarely,  but  some- 
times happens  that  the  soil  is  made  too  rich.  The  usual 
error  is  the  reverse. 

Clea?i  Cultivation  is  a  most  essential  requisite.  On  a 
large  scale,  it  may  be  very  cheaply  accomplished  by  a  horse 
and  cultivator,  the  rows  being  about  two  feet  apart,  and  the 
plants  a  foot  to  a  foot  and  a  half  in  the  rows.  The  runners 
must  be  kept  down  by  hoeing,  or  treated  precisely  as  weeds  ; 
and  unless  the  soil  is  already  quite  fertile,  a  dressing  of' 
manure  should  be  applied  each  autumn,  which  will  protect 
the  roots,  soak  into  the  soil,  and  may  be  turned  under  in 
spring.  A  light  top-dressing  of  leached  ashes  is  highly 
beneficial  to  strawberry  beds. 

Some  varieties,  as  the  Large  Early  Scarlet  and  Dundee, 
will  often  bear  profusely  for  a  single  season,  even  when  the 
plants  run  thickly  together;  others,  and  more  particularly 


THE    STRAWBERRY.  383 

the  larger  sorts,  must  be  cleared  of  runners  and  kept  well 
cultivated,  or  they  will  always  bear  poorly. 

A  renewal  of  the  beds  by  transplanting,  is  performed  most 
successfully  in  spring.  The  new  plants,  formed  by  the 
rooting  of  the  runners,  are  always  the  be^t.  Planting  in 
summer  requires  much  care  and  labor  in  watering  ;  and  in 
autumn,  the  plants  rarely  become  so  well  rooted  as  to  with- 
stand sufficiently  the  frosts  of  winter.*  In  all  cates,  the 
roots,  before  set  out,  should  be  immersed  in  mud,  and  the 
plants  watered  afterwards. 

The  following  very  easy  mode  of  raising  the  strawberry, 
by  a  spontaneous  renewal  of  the  plants,  or  "culture  in  al- 
ternate strips,"  is  thus  described  by  A.  J.  Downing,  and  has 
been  successfully  practiced  in  various  parts  of  the  country : — 

"  Early  in  April,  or  in  August,  being  provided  with  a  good 
stock  of  strong  young  plants,  select  a  suitable  piece  of  good 
deep  soil.  Dig  in  a  heavy  coat  of  stable  manure,  pulverizing 
well  and  raking  the  top  soil.  Strike  out  the  rows,  three 
feet  apart,  with  a  line.  The  plants  should  now  be  planted 
along  each  line  about  a  foot  apart  in  the  row.  They  will 
soon  send  out  runners,  and  these  runners  should  be  allowed 
to  take  possession  of  every  alternate  strip  of  three  feet — the 
other  strip  being  kept  bare  by  continually  destroying  all 
runners  upon  it,  the  whole  patch  being  kept  free  of  all 
weed;;.  The  occupied  strip  or  bed  of  runners- will  now  give 
a  heavy  crop  of  strawberries,  and  the  open  strip  of  three  feet 
will  serve  as  an  alley  from  which  to  gather  the  fruit.  After 
the  crop  is  over,  dig  and  prepare  this  alley  or  strip  for  the 
occupancy  of  the  new  runners  for  the  next  season's  crop. 
The  runners  from  the  old  strip  will  now  speedily  cover  the 
new  space  allotted  to  them,  and  will  perhaps  require  a  par- 
tial thinning  out  to  have  them  evenly  distributed.  As  soon 
as  this  is  the  case,  say  about  the  middle  of  August,  dig  un- 
der the  whole  of  the  old  plants  with  a  light  coat  of  manure. 
The  surface  may  be  then  sown  with  turnips  or  spinage, 
which  will  come  off  before  the  next  season  of  fruits. 

"  In  this  way  the  strips  or  beds  occupied  by  the  plants,  are 
reversed  every  season,  and  the  same  plot  of  ground  may 
thus  be  continued  in  a  productive  state  for  many  years.'* 

*  When  aummn  planting  is  adopted  from  necessity,  the  soil  should  be  closely  trod- 
den round  the  roots  to  prevent  heaving  by  the  frozen  moisture. 

17 


384 


THE    STRAWBERRY. 


Selection  of  Varieties.  Independently  of  fine  quality,  the 
selection  of  suitable  varieties  is  of  great  importance.  Some 
sorts,  celebrated  and  highly  recommended,  will  not  yield  a 
tenth  part  of  the  crop  afforded  by  others.  The  most  produc- 
tive, among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  Cincinnati  Hud- 
son,* the  Large  Early  Scarlet,  and  the  Dundee,  have  yield- 
ed at  the  rate  of  50  to  70  and  sometimes  100  bushels  per 
acre  ;  the  ground,  at  the  period  of  ripening,  glowing  with  the 
dense  red  clusters  which  nearly  cover  the  surface ;  while 
of  such  varieties  as  Swainstone's  Seedling,  Myatt's  Eliza, 
and  Deptford  Pine,  the  fruit  is  so  thinly  scattered  and  im- 
perfect, that  whole  square  feet  are  destitute  of  fine  specL- 
mens. 

As  the  productive  qualities  of  strawberries  depend  so 
essentially  on  the  presence  of  the  stamens  and  pistils,  some 
attention  to  this  part  of  the  subject  becomes  indispensible  to 
their  successful  culture. 

Modern  cultivators  divide  all  strawberries  into  two  dis- 
tinct classes,  one  being  termed 
staminate,  (or  "male,")  in  which 
the  stamens  are  fully  developed, 
and  possess  the  power  of  ferti- 
lizing the  germ;  and  the  other 
Fig.  290.  Fig.  29i.  being  termed  pistillate,  (or  -  fe- 

Staminate  flowers       Pistillate  flowers,    male,    )    in    which    the     Stamens 

are  abortive,  or  so  small  and  imperfectly  developed  that 
they  fail  to  accomplish  fertilization.  The  above  figures, 
(figs,  290  and  291,)  represent  the  usual  appearance  of  these 


Fig.  292. 
Pistillate  flower,  magnified. 


Fig.  293. 
Staininate  flower  •,  magnified. 


two  kinds  of  flowers  ;  and  figs.  292  and  293,  magnified  por- 
tions of  the  same,  fig.  293  exhibiting  a  part  of  the  flower 
of  the  Large  Early  Scarlet,  and  fig.  292,  the  same  of  Ho- 

*  A  single  cultivator  in  Kentucky,  who  supplies  Cincinnati,  and  who  has  sixty  acres 
planted  with  strawberries ;  carried  in  one  season  to  market,  from  thirty-seven  acres, 
one  hundred  and  twenty  bushels  per  day,  for  eight  or  nine  successive  days.  The 
whole  amount  sold  in  Cincinnati,  during  22  days  in  the  year  1846,  was  4,150  bushels, 
being  an  average  of  nearly  200  bushels  per  day. 


THE    STRAWBERRY.  385 

vey's  Seedling;  a,  being  the  stamens,  andi,  the  pistils.  By 
the  use  of  a  microscope  it  will  be  found  that  the  former  is 
abundantly  supplied  with  pollen  or  fertilizing  dust,  while  the 
latter  is  nearly  or  totally  destitute.  Hence  Hovey's  Seed- 
ling or  any  other  pistillate  variety,  can  never,  or  but  very 
imperfectly,  fertilize  its  own  flowers,  and  the  impregnation 
must  be  derived  from  a  staminate  sort. 

Strictly  speaking,  the  term  staminate  applies  to  those  only 
which  are  destitute  of  perfect  pistils.  Very  few  flowers, 
however,  are  wholly  destitute ;  and  most  of  those  which 
have  perfect  stamens,  have  also  a  greater  or  less  number  of 
pistils,  but  usually  much  fewer  than  the  pistillate  flowers 
only.  This  imperfection  in  the  pistils  of  staminate  sorts, 
render  those  sorts  usually  unproductive.*  Hence  the  great- 
est bearers  are  mostly  of  the  pistillate  varieties,  fertilized  by 
staminate  sorts  planted  within  a  few  feet  for  this  purpose. 
Without  this  assistance,  derived  from  staminate  flowers, 
pistillates  are  either  barren,  or  the  fruit  is  imperfect  and 
distorted,  only  a  part  or  the  outer  portion  of  the  berry  near- 
est the  stamens,  being  impregnated  by  the  scanty  supply  of 
pollen  from  the  nearly  abortive  stamens. 

In  planting  strawberry  beds,  it  is  important,  therefore, 
to  know  the  character  of  the  flowers.  Nothing  is  easier 
than  to  distinguish  the  two  when  in  blossom.  This  dis- 
tinction is  given  in  the  arrangement  of  varieties  which  fol- 
lows. About  one  quarter  staminates  are  usually  regarded 
as  abundant  for  fertilizing  a  bed.  To  prevent  intermixture 
of  the  two  sorts  by  runners,  they  may  be  planted  in  alter- 
nate strips,  as  indicated  by  the  following  diagram,  S  repre- 
senting staminate,  and  P  pistillate  varieties  : 


p  p  p  p 

s 

P    P    P    P            S 

p  p  p  p 

s  s  s  s 

p  p  p  p 

s 

P    P    P    P             S 

p  p  p  p 

s  s  s  s 

p  p  p  p  ^ 

:    s 

^     P    P    P    P    ^     S    rf 

.     p    p    p    p 

;     S    S    S    S 

p  p  p  p  * 

i  s 

•§     PPPPe     Si 

i  p  p  p  p  "c 

i    s  s  s  s 

p  p  p  p  fi 

i     S 

BH    PPPpfis    s  0 

S     p    p    p    p     ft 

1     S    S    S    S 

p  p  p  p 

s 

P    P    P    P            S 

p  p  p  p 

s  s  s  s 

p  p  p  p 

s 

P    P    P    P            S 

p  p  p  p 

S    8    S    S 

*  There  are  a  few  exceptions  to  this  general  rule,  as  in  case  of  the  Large  Early 
Scarlet,  which,  although  most  conspicuously  a  staminate,  is  a  profuse  bearer.  The 
Alpine  and  Wood  Strawberries  have  perfect  flowers  and  are  good  bearers. 


386  THE    STRAWBERRY. 

VARIETIES. 

CLASS  I.     SCARLET   STRAWBERRIES. 

'Flowers  small  ;    leaves  rather   long:,  thin,  and  light   green,    sharply  serrate ;  fruit 
bright  color,  acid  or  sub-acid,  seed  deeply  sunk.     Fragaria  virginiina  ) 

Section    I.     Flowers  St  am  mate. 
Section  II.     Flowtrs  Pistillate.. 

CLASS  II.     PINE  STRAWBERRIES. 

(Flowers  rather  large,  leaves  broad,  dark  green,  sometimes  obtuse  ;  fruit  large,  not 
acid,  rather  smooth,  seeds  little  sunk.     Fragaria  grandi flora.) 

Section   I.     Flowers  S Laminate. 
Section  II.     Flowers  Pistillate. 

CLASS  III.     ALPINE  AND  WOOD  STRAWBERRIES. 

(Flowers  rather  small,  perfect;  leaves  small,  thin,  light  green;  fruit  small,  sweet, 
parting  freely  from  the  calyx.     Fragaria  vesca.) 

CLASS  IV.     HAUTBOIS  STRAWBERRIES. 

(Leaves  large,  pale  green,  on  tall  stalks*;  fruit-stalk  tall  and  erect;  fruit  dull  pur 
plish.     Fragaria  elatior. ) 

CLASS  V.     CHILI  STRAWBERRIES. 

(Leaves  very  hairy,  thick,  obtusely  serrate  ;  fruit  very  large,  pale,  insipid.    Tender 
Fragaria  ckilensis. ) 

CLASS  VI.     GREEN  STRAWBERRIES. 

(Leaves  light  green,  plaited;  flesh  solid.    Of  little  value.) 


CLASS  I.     SCARLET  STRAWBERRIES. 
Section  I.     Flowers   Staminate. 

Downton.  (Syn.  Knight's  Seedling.)  Rather  large,  necked, 
ovate  or  coxcomb-shaped,  often  oblate,  dark  purplish 
scarlet,  flesh  firm,  rich,  aromatic  ;  unproductive.  Value- 
less. English. 

Duke  of  Kent.  (Syn.  Austrian  Scarlet.)  Small,  varying 
from  roundish  without  a  neck,  to  long  conical  and  necked; 
bright  scarlet,  a  clear  rich  acid.  Earliest  of  all  straw- 
berries,— ripe  the  first  day  of  summer.  Usually  stami- 
nate,  but  the  earlier  flowers  sometimes  pistillate  only. 

*  Whence  the  name  hawbois,  meaning,  literally,  in  French,  high-wood. 


THE    STRAWBERRY. 


387 


Elton.  Large,  ovate,  often  coxcomb-shaped,  glossy,  light 
red,  becoming  dark  red,  flesh  red,  rather  firm,  quite  rich. 
Tender,  needs  covering  in  winter.  Late  ;  rather  unpro- 
ductive. 

Grove-End  Scarlet.  (Syn.  Atkinson  Scarlet.)  Medium, 
bright  scarlet,  roundish-oblate  ;  flavor  pleasant,  mild,  ra- 
ther early.  English. 

Burr's  Staminate  Seedling.  (Syn.  Burr's  Old  Seedling.) 
ize  medium,  flavor  pleasant,  hardy,  very  .productive, 
dapted  to  all  soils.  Origin,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

LARGE  EARLY  SCARLET.  Rather  large,  roundish  ovate,  reg- 
ular, bright-scarlet, 
tender,  rich, excellent. 
Very  early,  two  or 
three  days  after  Duke 
of  Kent.  Productive 
at  the  North. 

The  Old  or  Virginia 
Scarlet,  the  original 
wild  strawberry  of 
this  country,  is 
smaller,  and  three  or 
four  days  later. 

PRINCE'S  PROFUSE  SCAR- 
LET, is  slightly  larger 
Ffc.294.  Fig.  295.  than      Large      Early 

Lirge  Early  Scarlet.  Prolific  Hautbois.  Scarlet,     but     bears     a 

close  resemblance  in  other  points,  except  in  being  pistil- 
late.     Productive. 


Section  II.     Flowers  pistillate. 

Bishop's  Orange.  (Syn.  Bishop's  New.)  Large,  regularly 
conical,  light  scarlet  approaching  orange,  flesh  firm,  flavor 
rather  acid,  high;  growth  low;  leaves  hairy.  "Worth- 
less except  on  a  deep  rich  sandy  soil,  well  cultivated. 
For  amateurs  only. 


388  THE    STRAWBERRY. 

CRIMSON  CONE.  (Syn.  Dutch  Berry.)  Medium,  uniformly 
conical,  bright  crimson,  rich,  acid. 

DUNDEE.  Rather  large,  roundish  oval,  regular ;  fine  light 
scarlet,  firm,  rich,  acid,  flavor  fine  for  a  large  sort.  Hardy, 
a  most  profuse  bearer. 

HUDSON'S  BAY.  (Syn.  Hudson,  Old  Hudson  ?)  Rather  large, 
ovate,  usually  with  a  neck,  often  without,  dark  rich  red ; 
flesh  firm,  of  a  high,  brisk  acid  flavor,  requiring  full  ma- 
turity to  be  fine.  Rather  late.  Profusely  productive. 

A.  J.  Downing  regards  the  Hudson's  Bay  as  identical 
with  the  Old  or  Cincinnati  Hudson,  so  extensively  culti- 
vated as  a  market  fruit  in  southern  Ohio.  His  opinion  is 
disputed  by  N.  Longworth  and  others,  of  Cincinnati. 

The  Willey  of  Ohio,  resembles  the  Hudson,  is  a  most  pro- 
fuse bearer,  even  with  trifling  care,  but  the  flavor  is  not 
first-rate. 

Methven  Scarlet.  (Syn.  Methven,  Methven  Castle.)  Very 
large,  roundish  or  coxcomb-shaped  ;  color  rather  dull  scar- 
let, soft,  insipid,  often  hollow;  season  medium. 

Roseberry.  (Syn.  Aberdeen,  Scotch  Scarlet.)  Size  me- 
dium, ovate-conical,  with  a  short  neck,  dark  red,  flesh 
firm,  flavor  tolerable  ;  season  medium. 

The  Black  Roseberry  is  better  in  quality,  dark  purplish  red, 
a  poor  bearer. 

CLASS  II.     PINE  STRAWBERRIES. 
Section  I.     lowers  Staminate. 

Boston  Pine.  Large,  roundish,  very  slightly  conical,  regu- 
lar, deep  red,  flesh  pale  scarlet,  solid,  rich-flavored,  hardy. 
Origin,  Boston,  Mass.  New.  Sometimes  very  produc- 
tive ;  often  nearly  sterile.  It  requires  a  strong  deep  soil, 
good  cultivation,  and  the  thorough  removal  of  the  runners. 

Brewer's  Emperor.  Large,  ovate,  dark  red,  of  fine  flavor; 
resembles  Keene's  Seedling,  but  hardy  and  productive. 
English.  New. 


THE    STRAWBERRY.  389 

British  Queen,  (Hyatt's.)  Very  large,  roundish,  some- 
times coxcomb-shaped,  color  rich  scarlet ;  flavor  rich;  ten- 
der, rather  early.  A  poor  bearer,  and  hence  unworthy 
of  cultivation. 

Deptford  Pine,  (Hyatt's.)  Very  large,  long-conical,  wedge- 
shaped,  color  a  clear  bright  scarlet,  dark  red  in  the  sun ; 
flesh  firm  and  solid,  flavor  rich  and  good.  Season  me- 
dium. Hoderately  hardy.  A  poor  bearer.  English.  New. 

Keene's  Seedling.  Large,  roundish-oblate,  often  coxcomb- 
shaped,  shining,  dark  purplish  scarlet,  firm,  rich,  high- 
flavored.  Rather  early.  .Of  the  highest  reputation  in 
England,  but  tender,  unproductive  and  valueless  here. 

Myatt's  Eliza.  Large,  conical,  with  a  mild,  sweet,  high, 
fine  flavor — very  unproductive.  English. 

Prince  Albert.  Very  large,  showy  ;  ovate,  color  a  rich  scar- 
let ;  rather  soft,  flavor  poor. 

Old,  or  Carolina  Pine.  Large,  conical,  necked,  sometimes 
coxcombed  ;  bright  scarlet,  solid,  juicy,  rich.  Season  me- 
dium ;  of  difficult  culture. 

Ross  Phoenix.  Very  large,  usually  coxcombed  or  com- 
pressed, dark  red,  flesh  firm,  of  fine  flavor  for  a  large  sort ; 
season  medium.  Sometimes  very  productive  ;  but  usually 
fails  on  heavy  clay,  and  scorches  on  light  gravel.  An 
uncertain  variety.  Origin,  Hudson,  N.  Y. 

Swainstone  Seedling.  Large,  ovate,  or  ovate-conical,  color 
very  bright  red,  high-flavor,  rich,  delicate,  of  the  highest 
quality ;  a  very  poor  bearer,  so  as  to  be  hardly  worth  cul- 
tivating. English. 

Section  II.     Flowers  pistillate. 

BLACK  PRINCE.  Quite  large,  roundish  ovate,  often  approach- 
ing oblate,  seeds  slightly  sunk;  flesh  firm,  with  a  mild, 
agreeable,  fine  flavor.  Season  medium,  very  hardy, 
rather  productive.  Leaves  large,  flat,  petioles  quite 
downy.  Fails  at  Cincinnati. 


S90 


THE    STRAWBERRY. 


BURR'S  NEW  PINE.  Large,  an  inch  to  an  inch  and  a 
fourth  in  diameter,  roundish  conical,  smooth,  even  and 
regular,  seeds  scarcely  sunk,  color  pale  red,  flesh  whitish 
pink,  very  tender,  flavor  fine.  Exceedingly  prolific  and 
with  perfect  berries.  Leaves  large,  spreadin  . 


Fig.  296.— Black  Prince. 


Fig.  297.— Burr's  New  Pine. 


HOVEY'S  SEEDLING.  Very  large 
.  roundish-oval,  approaching  co^ 
nical ;  color  deep  shining  scar- 
let ;  seeds  slightly  sunk ;  firm, 
rather  rich,  good.  Very  large, 
showy,  productive,  and  hence 
fine  for  market.  Season  me- 
dium. In  some  soils  at  the 
north,  it  is  liable  to  be  thrown 
out  by  frost ;  it  cannot  thrive 
if  allowed  to  run  thickly  to- 
gether, and  proves  unproduc- 
tive except  when  well  culti- 
tivated. 

Fig.  298— Hoveifs  Seedling. 

Week  Pine.  Larg-e,  with  a  slender  neck ;  color  light  red 
flesh  nearly  white,  rather  acid,  of  fine  flavor.  Very  pro 
ductive,  early, — much  cultivated  at  Cincinnati. 


THE    STRAWBEREY.  391 

CLASS  III.     ALPINE  AND  WOOD  STRAWBERRIES. 

Red  Alpine.  (Syn.  Alpine  Monthly.)  Rather  small,  long 
conical;  seeds  not  sunk ;  color  red;  quite  sweet,  mild, 
not  high  flavored ;  ripens  a  good  crop  just  after  the  usual 
strawberry  season,  and  if  damp  and  shaded,  through  the 
season  till  winter  frosts.  An  abundant  autumnal  crop  is 
secured  by  clipping  the  spring  blossoms. 

The  White  Alpine  is  quite  similar,  except  in  its  light  yel- 
lowish or  nearly  white  fruit. 

Red  Wood.  Resembles  the  Alpine  in  size,  flavor,  and  gen- 
eral appearance,  but  has  rounder  fruit,  and  does  not  con- 
tinue so  long  through  the  season. 

The  White  Wood  only  differs  in  its  light  colored  fruit. 

Bush  Alpine.  The  Red  and  White  Bush  Alpine,  resemble 
the  common  Alpines  in  every  particular,  except  in  an  en- 
tire destitution  of  runners.  Hence  they  grow  in  compact 
bunches,  and  are  considered  valuable  as  edging  for  kitch- 
en garden  beds.  They  are  necessarily  propagated  by 
dividing  the  roots.  They  bear  through  the  whole  season, 
even  more  uniformly  than  the  common  Alpines. 

The  Alpine  and  Wood  Strawberries  are  easily  propagated 
from  seed,  with  very  little  or  no  variation. 

CLASS  IV.     HAUTBOIS  STRAWBERRIES. 

Prolific.  (Syn.  Conical  Hautbois,  Musk  Hautbois,  Double 
Bearing.)  Large,  long  ovate-conical,  light  purple  be- 
coming dark  purplish  red,  surface  slightly  irregular,  seeds 
projecting;  much  esteemed  by  some  for  its  rich,  fine 
musky  flavor,  and  disliked  by  others. 

This  is  the  only  variety  of  the  Hautbois  worthy  of  cultiva- 
tion. 

The  CHILI  and  GREEN  STRAWBERRIES,  appear  to  be  un- 
worthy of  cultivation.  Of  the  former,  Wilmot's  Superb,  a 
very  showy,  large,  roundish  or  coxcombed  fruit,  with  a  pale 
red  surface,  and  hollow,  insipid  flesh,  has  excited  the  most 
attention. 


17* 


CHAPTER  XI. 


THE     GRAPE. 


PROPAGATION.  The  vine  is  prcpagated  by  seeds,  layers, 
cuttings,  and  by  grafting. 

Seeds  are  planted  only  for  obtaining  new  varieties,  by 
cross-fertilization,  as  described  in  an  early  chapter  of  this 
work. 

Layers  furnish  a  very  sure  mode  of  obtaining  large  well 
rooted  plants  the  same  autumn  after  the  young  shoots  are 
buried  in  the  soil,  which  may  be  done  a  little  before  mid- 
summer. 

Cuttings  are  less  certain  of  success  than  layers,  but  are 
usually  more  convenient,  arid  admit  of  more  rapid  multipli 
cation.  They  should  be  a  foot  long  and  planted  sloping, 
and  should  just  reach  up  to  the  surface  of  the  soil,  which 
should  be  rich,  deep,  and  rather  moist.  They  strike  more 
readily  under  a  frame  of  glass.  The  modification  of  cuttings 
denominated  eyes  has  been  already  described. 

Grafting  is  sometimes  useful  for  changing  large  vines  of 
worthless  sorts  to  a  better,  and  bearing  fruit  in  less  time 
than  a  young  vine  on  its  own  roots.  To  prevent  bleeding, 
the  work  must  be  done  below  the  surface  in  the  root ;  or 
after  the  leaves  are  expanded,  the  scions  having  been  pre- 
served in  a  cool  cellar  for  this  purpose. 

Soil.  "The  essence,"  says  Downing,  "of  all  that  can 
be  said  in  grape  culture  respecting  soil,  is  that  it  be  dry  and 
light,  deep  and  rich."  A  dry  bottom  is  highly  essential; 
hence  a  bed  of  stones,  shells  and  bones,  eighteen  inches 
beneath  the  surface,  has  been  very  useful.  The  manure 
must  be  in  some  degree  adapted  to  the  nature  of  the  soil, 
but  generally,  vegetable  mould  or  muck,  with  a  portion  of 
ashes  intermixed,  as  already  prescribed  for  fruit  trees,  is 
one  of  the  very  best. 

Pruning  and  Training.     The  grape  admits  of   a  great 


THE    GRAPE. 


393 


diversity  in  treatment,  and  many  have  their  own  peculiar 
modes  of  pruning  and  training.  General  rules  are  applica- 
ble to  all.  Universal  experience  proves  that  cutting  away 
a  large  portion  of  the  wood  every  autumn  or  winter,  is  indis- 
pensible  to  the  regular  and  continued  production  of  fine 
fruit.  The  bunches  are  borne  near  the  base  of  the  present 
year's  growth  ;  and  in  the  mode  termed  spur-pruning  \ 
these  side-shoots  on  the  single  main  stem  are  annually  cut 
off,  to  be  annually  replaced  by  new  shoots  springing  from 
buds  left  for  this  purpose,  fig.  298.  In  the  long-cane  or  re~ 
newal  system,  more  than  one  main  stem  is  al- 
lowed  to  grow  ;  and  each  year  every  alternate 
stem  is  cut  down  to  send  up  a  new  shoot  in  its 
place,  the  previous  year's  shoots  bearing  the  pre- 
sent year's  grapes  on  its  side  shoots.  Spur  prun- 
ing is  best  adapted  to  the  more  slowly  growing 
or  foreign  sorts  ;  and  the  renewal  pruning  to  the 
more  vigorous  or  American.  Fig.  299,  exhibits 
the  usual  mode  of  training  American  grapes, 
(the  trellis  not  being  represented,)  every  upright 
shoot  of  which  may  be  treated  as  a  permanent 
stem  and  spur  pruned  ;  or  else  every  alternate 
shoot  cut  out  each  year,  as  in  the  renewal  mode. 
These  upright  shoots  should  be  three  feet  apart, 
if  spur  pruning  is  adopted  ;  and  two  feet, 
Flap.  293.  if  the  alternate  shoots  only,  are  permitted  to 


The  summer  treatment  of  grapes  consists  chiefly  in  thin- 
ning the  shoots  where  there  is 
danger  of  the  leaves  becoming 
crowded  ;  thinning  out  the 
bunches;  and,  on  exotic  sorts, 
thinning  out  freely  the  berries. 
The  frequent  practice  of  nipping 
off  the  ends  of  the  shoots,  just 


grapes  are  as  large  as  a  pea,  lessens  their  subsequent 
growth.  For  all  fruits  grow  and  ripen  best  when  fed  from 
a  good  supply  of  well  grown  but  not  crowded  leaves,  hence 
the  foliage  should  not  be  lessened,  nor  the  shoots  shortened, 
until  they  interfere  with  each  other's  full  development. 


394 


THE    GRAPE. 


Fig.  300. — Span-roof  Grapzry. 


GRAPE  HOUSES.  It  rarely  occurs  that  the  foreign  varie- 
ties are  successfully  cultivated  in  the  open  air,  and  the  pro- 
tection of  glass  becomes  necessary.  The  increased  cer- 
tainty of  a  crop,  and  the  greatly  improved  flavor  of  the  fruit, 
can  be  hardly  comprehended  by  those  who  have  only  seen 
the  more  hardy  foreign  sorts  ripened  in  open  air.  A  house 
without  fire  heat,  is  comparatively  cheap,  and  managed 
with  moderate  attention. 

Grape  houses  are  of  three  kinds,  the  cold  house,  which  only 
protects  from  the  exterior  changes  of  the  weather,  and  re- 
tains the  heat  of  the  earth  and  of  the  sun  ;  the  forcing 
house,  used  for  ripening  early  grapes  by  the  assistance  of 
artificial  heat ;  and  the  late  house,  to  be  also  heated  artifi- 
cially, to  ripen,  during  winter,  the  later  varieties. 

The  best  cold  houses  are  made 
with  span-roofs,  as  in  fig.  300 ; 
while  the  lean-to  house,  fig.  301 ; 
is  best  adapted  to  forcing,  afford- 
ing better  security  against  the  ad- 
mission of  cold.  For  this  purpose 
the  latter  should  also  have  a  dou- 
ble wall  at  the  back.  To  admit 
the  free  passage  of  the  roots  un- 
der the  walls,  the  border  being  on 
both  sides,  the  posts  should  be 
either  stone  or  brick  piers,  set 
deep  enough  in  the  ground  to  be 
unaffected  by  frost,  and  the  walls 
built  upon  thick  connecting  slabs 
of  stone  near  the  surface.  Posts 
P  i;j.  3^1.— Lean-to  Grapery.  Of  durable  timber  will  last  many 
years,  when  the  structure  is  built  of  wood.  In  the  latter  in- 
stance, the  back  wall  should  be  double-planked,  and  the  space 
between  filled  with  closely  rammed  dry  tan.  The  sashes 
for  the  roof  should  be  of  two  lengths,  lapping  slightly  at  the 
middle,  and  sliding  past  each  other  in  .separate  grooves. 

Border  for  the  Vines.  This  should  never  be  less  than  12 
feet  wide,  and  if  20  or  25  feet,  it  would  be  better.  The 
roots  of  grape  vines  run  rapidly  to  a  great  distance,  and  it 
*s  indispensable  to  their  successful  growth  to  furnish  them 


THE    GRAPE.  395 

ample  room  for  extension.  J.  F.  Allen,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  a 
most  successful  cultivator,  in  his  Treatise  on  the  Grape,  re- 
commends for  a  border,  a  mixture  of  one-half  loam,  or  the 
top  soil  of  an  old  pasture,  one-fourth  bones  or  other  strong 
manure,  one-eighth  oyster  shells,  lime,  or  brick  rubbish, 
one-eighth  rotten  stable  manure  —  varying  with  circum- 
stances. The  Bed  should  be  well  mixed,  and  should  be 
two  to  three  feet  deep. 

The  same  work  states  the  cost  of  a  cheap  lean-to  grape 
house,  without  fire  heat,  12  or  14  feet  wide,  at  about  eight 
dollars  per  running  foot ;  and  with  the  addition  of  a  heat- 
ing apparatus,  at  ten  dollars  per  running  foot,  constructed 
as  cheaply  as  possible. 

It  would  be  impossible,  within  the  space  of  a  few  pages,  to 
give  full  directions  for  the  management  of  a  grape  house. 
The  following  brief  instructions,  from  A.  J.  Downing,  con- 
tain all  that  is  essential  for  a  cold  house : 

"  ROUTINE  OF  CULTURE.  In  a  vinery  without  heat  this 
is  comparatively  simple.  As  soon  as  the  vines  commence 
swelling  their  buds  in  the  spring,  they  should  be  carefully 
washed  with  mild  soap  suds,  to  free  them  from  insects, 
soften  the  wood,  and  assist  the  buds  to  swell  regularly.  At 
least  three  or  four  times  every  week,  they  should  be  well 
syringed  with  water,  which,  when  the  weather  is  cool,  should 
always  be  done  in  the  morning.  And  every  day  the  vine 
border  should  be  duly  supplied  with  water.  During  the 
time  when  the  vines  are  in  blossom,  and  while  the  fruit  is 
setting,  all  sprinkling  or  syringing  over  the  leaves  must  be 
suspended,  and  the  house  should  be  kept  a  little  more  closed 
and  warm,  than  usual,  and  should  any  indications  of  mil- 
dew appear  on  any  of  the  branches,  it  may  at  once  be 
checked  by  dusting  them  with  flour  of  sulphur.  Air  must 
be  given  liberally  every  day  when  the  temperature  rises  in 
the  house,  beginning  by  sliding  down  the  top  sashes  a  little 
in  the  morning,  more  at  mid-day,  and  then  gradually  closing 
them  in  the  same  manner.  To  guard  against  the  sudden 
changes  of  temperature  out  of  doors,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  keep  up  as  moist  and  warm  a  state  of  atmosphere  within 
the  vinery  as  is  consistent  with  pretty  free  admission  of  the 
air  during  sunshine,  is  the  great  object  of  culture  in  a  vinery 
of  this  kind." 


396  THE    GRAPE. 

The  minute  and  extended  directions  required  for  the  suc- 
cessful management  of  a  forcing  and  late  house,  would  far 
exceed  the  limits  here  assigned;  for  these  and  a  large  fund 
of  other  valuable  information  relative  to  grape  culture,  the 
reader  is  referred  to  Allen's  Treatise  on  the  Grape. 

Insects.  The  smaller  insects  may  be  repelled  by  syring- 
ing with  a  solution  of  whale-oil  soap  ;  the  beetles  may  be 
knocked  off  into  tin  cups  containing  turpentine.  Open- 
mouthed  bottles,  partly  filled  with  sweetened  water,  will 
decoy  many. 

Mildew.  This  is  a  formidable  obstacle  to  the  culture  of 
foreign  grapes  in  open  air,  both  in  the  north  and  south. 
The  only  effectual  remedy  is  the  renewal  of  the  vines  every 
three  or  four  years. 

The  rot  has  in  some  seasons  proved  a  formidable  disease 
in  vineyards — its  cause  and  cure  require  further  examina- 
tion and  experiment. 

Bleeding,  or  the  rapid  escape  of  the  sap  by  spring  pruning, 
causes  much  less  injury  than  is  usually  supposed,  and  many 
cultivators  who  have  made  the  experiment  thoroughly,  have 
scarcely  perceived  any  unfavorable  result  on  hardy  grapes. 

NATIVE  GRAPES. 

Alexander's.  (Syn.  Cape  Grape,  Schuylkill  Muscadel, 
Spring-Hill  Constantia.)  Bunches  not  shouldered  ;  com- 
pact ;  berries  medium,  nearly  round,  slightly  oval ;  skin 
thick,  black ;  pulp  firm,  coarse,  acid  until  fully  ripe ;  sea- 
son late.  Worthless  in  New-England  and  New- York 
good  at  Cincinnati.  A  native  of  Pa. 

BLAND.  (Syn.  Bland's  Virginia,  Powell.}  Bunches  loose  ; 
berries  round,  pedicels  long ;  skin  thin,  pale  red,  flesh 
slightly  pulpy,  pleasant,  delicate,  sprightly.  Late  ;  rare- 
ly ripens  well  as  far  north  as  43  degrees  lat.  A  moderate 
bearer.  Origin,  Va. 

CATAWBA.  Bunches  medium  in  size,  shouldered;  berries 
large,  pale  red,  deeper  in  the  sun,  with  a  thin  lilac  bloom  ; 
flesh  slightly  pulpy  ;  juicy,  sweet,  aromatic,  rich,  slightly 
musky.  Does  not  ripen  well  as  far  north  as  43  degrees 
latitude,  except  in  warm  exposures.  Very  productive. 

To  Kalon,  a  sub-variety  is  not  pulpy,    but   a  poor  bearer; 


THE    GRAPE.  397 

Pond's  Seedling,  another  sub-variety,  is  earlier,   but  un- 
productive. 

Clinton.  Bunches  medium  or*  small,  not  shouldered,  com- 
pact ;  berries  nearly  round,  small,  black ;  bloom  thin  blue  ; 
pulpy,  juicy,  with  a  slightly  harsh  flavor.  Very  hardy 
and  rather  early.  Western  New- York. 

DIAXA.  A  seedling  from  the  Catawba,  which  it  resem- 
bles, but  paler,  or  a  pale  greyish  red,  bunches  loose,  ber- 
ry round,  almost  without  pulp,  juicy,  sweet,  rich.  It  ri- 
pens earlier  than  the  Isabella.  Origin,  Milton,  Mass. 

ELSINBURGH.  (Syn.  Elsinborough.)  Bunches  rather  large, 
loose,  shouldered ;  berries  quite  small,  skin  thin,  black ; 
bloom  blue  ;  pulp  none  ;  melting  .sweet,  excellent.  Leaves 
deeply  five-lobed,  dark  green;  wood  slender,  joints  long. 
Hardy.  New-Jersey. 

ISABELLA.  Bunches  rather  large,  shouldered  ;  berries 
round-oval,  rather  large  ;  skin  thick,  dark  purple  becom- 
ing nearly  black,  bloom  blue  ;  tender,  with  some  pulp 
which  lessens  as  it  ripens  ;  when  fully  ripe  juicy,  sweet, 
rich,  slightly  musky.  Ripens  as  far  north  as  43  degrees 
lat.,  except  in  unfavorable  seasons.  Very  vigorous,  pro- 
fusely productive.  Origin,  South  Carolina. 

Troy  Grape  and  Hyde's  Eliza  are  sub-varieties  of  the  Isa- 
bella, possessing  no  remarkable  qualities. 

LENOIR.  Bunches  large,  handsome,  compact,  little  shoul- 
dered ;  berries  small,  round ;  skin  thin,  dark  purple,  bloom 
•slight ;  tender,  with  no  pulp,  melting,  sweet,  excellent. 
Wood  long  jointed,  leaf  three-lobed.  Origin,  Carolina; 
a  supposed  seedling  from  the  Burgundy. 

The  Herbemont  closely  resembles  the  Lenoir,  but  is  of  less 
vigorous  growth,  and  darker  colored  wood ;  its  terminal 
leaves  are  of  a  brownish  cast,  those  of  the  Lenoir  green. 

Missouri.  Bunches  loose  ;  berries  small,  round  ;  skin  thin, 
nearly  black ;  tender,  sweet,  pleasant,  with  little  pulp ; 
moderately  productive,  growth  slow,  wood  short-jointed  , 
leaves  deeply  three-lobed. 

Norton's  Seedling.  (Syn.  Norton's  Virginia.)  Bunches 
long,  compact;  berries  small,  round;  skin  thin,  dark  pur- 


398  THE    GRAPE. 

pie ;  pulpy,  vinous,  somewhat  harsh,  rather  pleasant  and 
rich.  Shoots  strong,  hardy ;  a  hybrid  between  Bland  and 
Miller's  Burgundy.  Foliage  light  colored,  five-lobed. 

OHIO.  (Syn.  Longworth's  Ohio,  Segar-Box.)  Punches 
large,  long,  loose,  tapering,  shouldered ;  berries  small, 
round  ;  skin  thin,  purple,  bloom  blue  ;  tender,  melting, 
sweet,  excellent,  with  no  pulp  ;  a  good  bearer.  Shoots 
long-jointed,  strong;  leaves  large,  three-lobed  ;  origin 
unknown.  As  far  south  as  Cincinnati,  it  succeeds  well 
and  is  a  fine  table  grape,  resembling  the  Elsinburgh,  but 
is  rather  tender  at  Cleveland,  and  fails  as  far  north  as 
43  degrees  lat. 

Scuppernong.  (Syn.  Fox  Grape  or  Bullet  Grape,  of  the 
South;  American  Muscadine.)  This  is  a  distinct  southern 
species  the  Vitis  vulpina.  Bunches  very  small,  loose; 
berries  round,  large;  skin  thick;  pulpy,  juicy,  sweet, 
strongly  musky.  The  "White"  is  light  green;  the 
"Black"  dark  red;  the  color  of  the  tendrils  correspond- 
ing in  each  variety.  Leaves  quite  small,  glossy  on  both 
sides.  Very  tender  at  the  North. 


FOREIGN  GRAPES. 

As  but  few  of  these  can  he  cult  vated  successfu'ly  in  open  a'r,  and  extensive  grape 
houses  cannot  become  very  common,  a  few  of  the  best  only  are  described.] 

CLASS  I.     DARK  RED,  PURPLE  AND  BLACK. 

BLACK  CLUSTER.  (Syu.  Burgundy,  Black  Burgundy,  True 
Burgundy,  Small  Black  Cluster,  Early  Black,  Black  Or- 
leans. )  Bunches  small,  very  compact,  berries  rather 
small,  roundish,  black,  sweet,  good.  Season,  early  mid- 
autumn.  Hardy  in  N.  Y.  Distinguished  from  Miller's 
Burgundy  by  the  absence  of  down  on  the  leaf. 

BLACK  HAMBURGH.  (Syn.  Red  Hamburgh,  Purple 
Hamburg,  Brown  Hamburgh,  Frankendale,  Hampton 
Court  Vine.)  Bunches  large,  shouldered  on  both  sides ; 
berries  very  large,  roundish,  sometimes  oval,  deep  brown- 
ish purple,  becoming  black  ;  flavor  sugary  and  rich.  A 
good  bearer.  Needs  a  grape  house,  rarely  ripening  well 
in  the  open  air. 


THE    GRAPE.  399 

Wilmot's  New  Black  Hamburgh  is  similar,  fruit  larger, 
bloom  very  thick,  flesh  firm,  nearly  or  quite  equal  to  the 
common  Hamburgh. 

BLACK  PRINCE.  Bunches  very  long,  not  wide  at  base;  ber- 
ries large,  thinly  set,  oval ;  skin  thick,  black,  with  a  thick 
blue  bloom  ;  flavor  sweet  and  excellent.  A  good  bearer. 
Sometimes  ripens  in  the  open  air. 

Black  St.  Peters,  Black  Portugal,  and  Cambridge  Black, 
much  resemble  this  variety. 

Early  Black  July.  (Syn.  July,  Madeleine.)  Bunches  small, 
compact ;  berries  small,  spherical,  black,  bloom  blue,  skin 
thick;  flavor  acid,  becoming  rather  sweet,  not  rich.  Very 
early,  ripens  in  open  air  soon  after  mid-summer. 

CLASS  II.     WHITE,  OR  YELLOW. 

CHARLESWORTH  TOKAY.  Bunches  long,  compact;  berries 
large,  oval,  white,  skin  thick,  with  a  rich,  excellent,  mus- 
cat flavor.  Hangs  long,  and  is  adapted  to  a  forcing  01 
late  house.  New.  English. 

EARLY  WHITE  MALVASIA.  (Syn.  Grove  End  Sweetwater, 
Early  Chasselas,  White  Mellier.)  Bunches  large,  shoul- 
dered ;  berries  round,  yellowish  white ;  skin  thin ;  sweet, 
juicy,  agreeable.  Early,  good  bearer,  ripens  in  open  air. 

PITMASTON  WHITE  CLUSTER.  Bunches  small,  compact, 
shouldered ;  berries  small,  round,  amber  colored,  some- 
times with  a  little  faint  russet  when  fully  ripe ;  skin  thin, 
flesh  tender,  juicy,  rich,  of  fine  flavor.  Open  air,  cold  or 
forcing  house.  A  seedling  from  Black  Cluster,  ripening 
before  Sweetwater. 

ROYAL  MUSCADINE.  (Syn.  Chasselas,  Golden  Chasse- 
las, White  Chasselas,  Early  White  Teneriffe,  Chasselas  de 
Fontainebleau,  White  Muscadine  of  some.)  Bunches  large, 
long,  sometimes  shouldered  ;  berries  rather  large,  round, 

"  greenish,  becoming  a  golden  amber;  skin  thin,  flesh  ten- 
der, rich,  delicious.  Does  not  hang  well — cracks  some 
seasons.  Distinguished  from  Sweetwater  by  its  larger 
berries,  and  stronger  growth  of  shoots. 


400 


THE    GRAPE. 


Chasselas  de  Bar  Sur  Aube,  much  resembles  the  Royal 
Muscadine,  but  is  earlier,  and  rather  superior  in  flavor ; 
the  bunches,  under  good  cultivation,  are  often  ten  or 
twelve  inches  long,  usually  not  shouldered ;  very  pro- 
ductive. For  forcing  or  cold  house. 

Syrian.  Bunches  enormously  large — have  weighed  19  Ibs., 
being  22  inches  long  and  19  broad — irregular,  shoulder- 
ed, berries  large,  oval,  tawny  yellow ;  skin  thick,  flesh 
firm,  solid,  moderately  juicy  and  sweet,  not  rich.  Late; 
needs  fire  heat ;  hangs  well.  Wood  and  foliage  large. 
Supposed  to  be  the  grape  of  Eschol,  mentioned  in  the- 
Sacred  Scriptures. 


WHITE  MUSCAT  OF 


ALEXANDRIA.  (Syn.  Jerusa- 
lem Muscat,  Malaga,  Fron- 
tignac  of  Alexandria,  Passe 
Musque.)  Bunches  very  large, 
9  to  12  inches  long,  loose,  ir- 
regular, do  not  set  well;  ber- 
ries very  large,  oval,  an  inch 
long,  pale  amber,  skin  thick; 
flesh  firm,  crisp,  rich,  delicious, 
perfumed — often  seedless.  One 
of  the  richest  Muscat  grapes — 
Downing  says,  "  the  most  de- 
licious of  all  grapes."  Needs 
a  vinery,  and  best  with  fire 
heat — hangs  long. 

The  Cannon-Hall  Muscat,  is  a 
seedling  sub-variety,  improved 
in  size,  but  hardly  so  rich  in 
flavor. 

The  Tottenham  Park  Muscat, 
also  a  sub-variety,  is  not  quite 
so  rich  as  the  original,  but  sets 
better,  and  hangs  well. 


Fig.  302. —  White  Muscat  of  Alexan 
dria.    Reduced  to  }  diameter. 


THE    GEAPE.  401 

WHITE  FRONTIGNAN.  (Syn.  White  Frontignan,  Muscat 
Blanc,  White  Constantia.)  Bunches  medium  in  size  or 
long,  sometimes  shouldered,  usually  not,  rather  dense  ; 
berries  medium  or  large,  round,  dull  white  or  yellow, 
when  well  ripened  a  beautiful  amber,  bloom  thin,  skin 
thin  ;  tender,  rich,  perfumed,  one  of  the  best  Muscat 
grapes.  Productive  in  a  vinery,  adapted  to  a  cold,  forc- 
ing, or  late  house — requires  a  dry  situation  ;  on  a  wet  soil, 
not  worth  cultivating.  Ten  days  later  than  Hamburgh. 

WHITE  NICE.  Bunches  very  large — have  weighed  eighteen 
pounds — shouldered,  loose;  berries  medium  or  rathet 
small,  round  ;  greenish-white,  approaching  yellow,  sweet 
good,  rich-flavored ;  hangs  well.  Growth  strong,  leaves 
very  downy  beneath.  Needs  fire  heat. 

WHITE  SWEETWATER.  (Syn.  Early  White  Muscadine, 
White  Muscadine  of  Lind.,  Early  Sweetwater.)  Bunches 
medium  in  size,  loose,  usually  shouldered ;  berries  medi- 
um size,  round,  yellowish  green,  skin  thin  ;  crisp,  watery, 
sweet,  moderately  rich.  Inferior  to  Royal  Muscadine, 
but  two  weeks  earlier,  ripening  by  the  end  of  summer. 
Ripens  in  open  air  ;  shoots  tender. 

White  Tokay.  (Syn.  Genuine  Tokay.)  Bunches  medium 
in  size,  compact  ;  berries  round-oval,  dull  white ;  skin 
thin  ;  delicate,  sweet,  perfumed.  Leaves  deeply  five- 
lobed,  lower  surface  with  a  silky  down.  Ripens  in  open 
air. 

CLASS  III.     LIGHT  RED. 

GRIZZLY  FRONTIGNAN.  (Syn.  Red  Constantia,  Red  Fron- 
tignan, Gray  Muscat.)  Bunches  rather  long,  narrow, 
slightly  shouldered  ;  berries  medium  in  size,  round,  com- 
pact ;  reddish  grey,  bloom  thick  ;  juicy,  rich,  musky, 
high-flavored  ;  hangs  well,  ripens  before  Hamburgh,  and 
the  other  Frontignans.  For  forcing,  cold  or  late  house. 


CHAPTER  XIL 


SELECT    LIST    OF    VARIETIES,    ADAPTED    TO    DIFFERENT    LOCALI- 
TIES   OF    THE    UNION. 


IN  the  body  of  this  work,  the  type  used  for  the  names  of 
varieties,  will  enable  the  inexperienced  cultivator  to  pre- 
pare select  lists  of  greater  or  less  extent,  a  few  of  the  most 
valuable  being  in  capitals,  a  larger  number  of  less  general 
value  in  small  capitals,  and  a  still  larger  number  in  italics. 
But  as  the  same  sort  does  not  often  succeed  alike  in  all  re- 
gions, it  becomes  desirable  to  obtain  lists  of  those  "fruits  best 
adapted  to  particular  localities.  The  following  are  given 
for  this  purpose. 

THE  LIST  ADOPTED  BY   THE    AMERICAN    CONGRESS     OF    FRUIT- 
GROWERS, held  in  New-York  city,  in  1848,  and  adapted  to 
the  more  northern  and  eastern  portions  of  the  Union-- 
Apples— Early  Harvest,  Bough,  American  Summer  Pear- 
main,  Summer  Rose,  Early  Strawberry,  Gravenstein,  Fall 
Pippin,  Rhode  Island  Greening,  Baldwin,  Roxbury  Russet; 
and  for  particular  localities, — Yellow  Bellflower,  Esopus 
Spitzenburgh,  Newtown  Pippin — 13. 

Pears — Madeleine,  Dearborn's  Seedling,  Bloodgood, 
Tyson,  Golden  Bilboa,  Bartlett,  Seckel,  Flemish  Beauty, 
Beurre  Bosc,  Winter  Nelis,  Beurre  d'Aremberg ;  and  for 
particular  localities,  White  Doyenne",  Grey  Doyenne — 13. 

Peaches — Grosse  Mignonne,  George  IV.,  Serrate  Early 
York,  Large  Early  York,  Morris  White,  Oldmixon  Free, 
Cooledge's  Favorite,  Bergen's  Yellow,  Crawford's  Late; 
and  Jor  particular  localities,  Heath  Cling — 10. 

Plums — Jefferson,  Green  Gage,  Washington,  Purple 
Favorite,  Bleecker's  Gage,  Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Frost  Gage, 
Purple  Gage  ;  and  for  particular  localities,  Imperial  Gage 
--9. 

Cherries — Mayduke,  Black  Tartarian,  Black  Eagle, 
Graffion  or  Bigarreau,  Knight's  Early  Black,  Downer's 
Late,  Elton,  Downton — 8. 


SELECT    LISTS    OP   VARIETIES.  403 

SELECT  LIST  prepared  for  this  work,  by  SAMUEL  WALKER, 

President  of  the  Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society,  at 

in  accordance  with  his  own  experience,  and  in  the  order  Oj 

their  value,  all  things  considered. 

Apples — Rhode  Island  Greening,  .Gravenstein,  Baldwin, 
Early  Harvest,  Minister,  Danver's  Sweet,  Bough,  Roxbury 
Russet,  Dyer,  White  Seeknofurther,  Summer  Rose,  Porter, 
Hubbardston  Nonesuch,  Fameuse,  Summer  Pearmain,  Fall 
Harvey,  Red  Astrachan,  Fall  Pippin,  River,  William's  Fa- 
vorite— 20. 

Pears — Vicar  of  Winkfield,  (for  its  size,  productiveness, 
ong  continuance,  and  many  uses,)  Bartlett,  Beurre  d'Arem- 
berg,  Seckel,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Urbaniste,  Bloodgood, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  on  quince,  Winter  Nelis,  Dear- 
born's Seedling,  Flemish  Beauty,  Glout  Morceau,  Madeleine, 
Beurre  Bosc,  Beurre  Diel  on  quince,  Rostiezer,  Heaihcote 
Passe  Colmar,  Andrews,  Golden  Bilboa,  Tyson,  Dix — 22. 

Cherries — Black  Tartarian,  Black  Eagle,  Downer's  Red, 
jMayduke,  Bigarreau,  Knight's  Early  Black — 6. 

Peaches — Grosse  Mignonne,  George  IV.,  Oldmixon  Free, 
Cooledge's  Favorite,  Crawford's  Late,  Late  Red  Rare- 
ripe— 6. 

Plums — Green  Gage,  Jefferson,  Purple  Gage,  Columbia, 
Washington,  Imperial  Gage — 6. 

Apricots — Moorpark,  Breda,  Royal. 

Nectarines — Elruge,  Hunt's  Tawny,  New  White,  Early 
Newington,  Early  Violet,  Roman — 6. 

Native  Grapes — Isabella,  Catawba. 

LIST  furnished  by  R.  MANNING,  Pomological  Garden,*  &z- 
lem,  Mass. 

Three  best  pears,  early,  middle,  and  late — Bartlett,  Para- 
dise d'Automne,  Winter  Nelis. 

Three  best  summer  pears — Bloodgood,  Rostiezer,  Dear- 
born's Seedling. 

Three  test  autumn — Bartlett,  Paradise  d'Automne,  Urba- 
niste. 

Three  best  winter — Winter  Nelis,  Beurre  d'Aremberg, 
Easter  Beurre. 

*  Where  nearly  one  thousand  sorts  are  in  bearing.  T.  Rivers,  in  England,  has 
selected  out  of  nearly  one  thousand,  only  four  for  market,  viz.,  Bartlett,  Bevrr* 
d'Amalis,  Capiaumont,  and  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey.  The  second  and  third,  how- 
ever, prove  no  better  than  second  quality,  in  thi»  country. 


404  SELECT    LISTS    OF    VARIETIES. 

Three  best  orchard  pears — Bartlett,  Fulton,  Vicar  of 
Winkfield. 

Three  best  apples — Summer  Rose,  Gravenstein,    Baldwin. 

SELECT  LIST  OF  APPLES,  by  B.  V.  FRENCH,  Braintree,  Mass. 

Three  lest  apples — Porter,  R.  I.  Greening,  Baldwin. 

Three  best  summer — Early  Harvest,  Red  Astrachan, 
Williams'  Favorite. 

Three  best  autumn — Porter,  Fameuse,  Gravenstein. 

Three  best  winter — Rhode  Island  Greening,  White  Seek- 
nofurther,  Baldwin. 

For  the  six  best  for  each  season,  add  to  the  preceding,— 
American  Summer  Pearmain,  Bough,  Benoni ;  St.  Law- 
rence, Lyscom,  Hawthornden ;  Yellow  Bellflower,  None- 
such (or  Red  Canada,)  Roxbury  Russet.  :. 

IN  A  LIST  FURNISHED  BY  Dr.  W.  D.  BRINCKLE,  of  Phila- 
delphia, the  following  standard  sorts,  well  tested  at  that 
place,  are  marked  first  quality: — 

Apples — Early  Harvest,  Summer  Rose,  (best  flavored 
early,)  Early  Bough,  Summer  Pearmain,  Fall  Pippin,  Bul- 
lock's Pippin,  Winter  Pearmain. 

Pears — Madeleine,  Tyson,  Washington,  Bartlett,  Seckel, 
Petre,  Lodge,  Fondante  d'Automne,  Louise  Bonne  of  Jei- 
sey,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Echassery.  New  pears. — Ott, 
Kingsessing,  Brandywine,  Chancellor,  Jones. 

Plums — Green  Gage,  Washington,  Coe's  Golden  Drop, 
Lawrence's  Favorite. 

Cherries — Mayduke  and  Graffion  or  Bigarreau. 
Strawberries — Early  Scarlet,  Hudson,  Hovey's  Seedling 
Native  Grapes — Isabella,  Catawba. 

LIST  BY  T.  HANCOCK,  Burlington,  New  Jersey. 

Peaches — Crawford's  Early,  Crawford's  Late,  Large 
Early  York,  La  Grange,  Heath  Cling,  Ward's  Late  Free, 
New-York  Rareripe,  Scott's  Nonpareil,  Oldmixon  Free, 
Cole's  White  Melocoton. 

Native  Grapes — Elsinburgh,  Catawba,  Isabella. 

Foreign  Grapes — Black  Hamburgh,  (best  and  most  pro- 
fitable for  a  cold  house,)  White  Muscat  of  Alexandria.  Both 
fine  for  a  heated  house. 


SELECT    LISTS    OF   VARIETIES.  405 

Raspberries. — White  Antwerp,  Red  Antwerp,  (tme,)Fas- 
tolff,  Franconia, 

Apples — Lady  Apple,  Autumn  Pearmain,  Bough,  Cum- 
berland Spice,  Early  Harvest,  Fall  Pippin,  Wood's  Green- 
ing, Red  Juneating,  Jersey  Greening,  (or  Ortley,)  Maiden's 
Blush,  Newtown  Pippin,  Newark  Pippin,  Rhode  Island 
Greening,  Roman  Stem,  Bullock's  Pippin,  Summer  Rose, 
Summer  Pearmain,  Wine  apple,  Winesap,  Tewksbury 
Blush,  (for  keeping.) 

LIST  by  T.  S.  PLEASANTS,  Petersburgh,  Va. 

Apples — May  Apple,  Red  June,  July  Branch,  Fall  Pip- 
pin, Gloucester  Cheese,  Fall  Cheese,  Bellflower,  Winter 
Cheese,  Carter's  Pearmain,  Winesap,  Albemarle  Pippin, 
Pryor's  Red,  Old  Town  Crab,  Limber  Twig. 

Peaches — ripening  in  7  mo.,  (July) — Early  Tillotson, 
Troth's  Early  Red,  Yellow  Rareripe,  Red  Magdalen,  Old- 
mixon  Free,  Large  Early  York,  Crawford's  Early,  Early 
Newington  Cling,  Royal  Kensington,  Royal  George.  Ri- 
pening in  8  mo. — Belle  de  Vitry,  Orange  Freestone,  Orange 
Clingstone,  Rodman's  Cling,  Oldmixon  Cling,  Crawford's 
Late,  Ward's  Late  Free,  Pavie  Admirable.  In  9  mo. — 
Heath  Cling,  La  Grange.  The  following  new  or  local  sorts: 
Budd's  Orange  Clingstone,  early  in  9  mo.;  Late  Soft  Heath, 
(freestone,)  nearly  middle  of  9  mo.;  Bridgeforth's  Orange, 
(fine  and  very  handsome,)  after  middle  of  9th  mo.;  Late 
Heath  Cling,  a  month  later  than  common  Heath  Cling; 
Late  White  Freestone  and  October  peaches,  first  to  middle 
of  10  mo. 

Native  Grapes — Catawba,  Isabella,  Norton's,  Herbemont's, 
Lenoir,  Halifax. 

Figs — The  best  kinds  are  the  Brown,  White,  and  Black 
or  Florida  fig,  the  last  superior  to  all  others,  the  fruit  large 
and  exceedingly  rich,  skin  deep  purple,  almost  black  ;  trees 
very  productive.  The  brown  is  nearly  equal  to  it — the 
White  is  much  less  luscious,  but  very  large.* 

/ 

*  The  fig  i?  one  of  the  most  luscious  of  fruit?,  and  grows  well  in  the  open  ground, 
with  very  slight  protection  ;  and  on  our  large  water  courses,  within  the  precincts  of 
to\vns,  and  even  against  any  walls,  having  an  eastern,  southern,  or  western  aspect, 
without  any  immediate  protection.  When  the  plants  are  young,  they  should  be  en- 
closed for  one  or  two  winters  in  barrels  filled  with  litter  or  leaves;  afterwards  it  is 
sufficient  to  surround  them  with  branches  of  evergreens."— T.  S.  Pleasants. 


406  SELECT    LISTS    OF    VARIETIES. 

LIST  OF  APPLES,  ripening  in  succession,  by  A.  H.  ERNST, 
President  of  Cincinnati  Hort.  Society. 

Sweet  Bough,  Early  Harvest,  Summer  Rose,  Fall  Pippin, 
Golden  Russet,  (ox  Bullock's  Pippin,)  Nevvtown  Spitzen- 
burgh,  Yellow  Bellefleur,  Woolman's  Long  (or  Ortley  or 
White  Detroit,)  White  Pippin,  Brodwell,  Winesap,  Yellow 
Newtown  Pippin,  Rawle's  Jannet — 13.  Add  fur  a  larger 
collection, — Red  Juncating,  Summer  Queen,  Golden  Sweet- 
ing, Kaighn's  Spitzenburgh,  Rhode  Island  Greening,  Rambo, 
Pryor's  Red,  Vandevere,  Doctor,  Roxbury  Russet — 10. 

Pears  ripeni?ig  in  succession,  proved  excellent  at  Cincin- 
nati— Madeleine,  Julienne,  Bartlett,  Washington,  Gray 
Doyenne,  Seckel,  Duchesse  d'Angouleme,  Beurr6  Diel, 
Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey. 

Strawberries — Neck  Pine,  earliest;  Old  Hudson,  unri- 
valled for  the  market  gardener;  Jenny's  Seedling,*  very 
hardy,  prolific  ;  Hovey's  Seedling,  its  position  not  yet  fully 
established  ;  Taylor's  Seedling,!  promises  to  be  valuable. 

SELECT  LIST  by  F.  R.  ELLIOTT,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Apples — Best  single  variety,  for  northern  Ohio, — Bel- 
mont  or  Waxen. 

Three  best,  summer,  autumn,  and  winter; — Summer 
Rose,  Fall  Pippin,  Red  Canada  or  Nonesuch. 

Three  best  summer — Early  Harvest,  Summer  Rose,  Ameri- 
can Summer  Pearmain. 

Three  best  autumn — Gravenstein,  Porter,  Fall  Pippin. 

Three  best  winter — Belmont,  Swaar,  Nonesuch. 

For  the  six  best,  for  each  season,  add  to  the  preceding, — 
Red  Astrachan,  Williams'  Favorite,  Early  Joe  ;  Fall  Har- 
vey, Ross  Nonpareil,  Rambo;  Hubbardston Nonesuch,  Cana- 
da Reinette,  Rhode  Island  Greening. 

For  the  best  forty,  add  to  the  preceding,  Maiden's  Blush, 
Minister,  Fameuse,  Roxbury  Russet,  Westfield  Seeknofur- 
ther,  Yellow  Bellflower,  Court  of  Wyck,  Jonathan,  Lady 
Apple,  Herefordshire  Pearmain,  American  Golden  Russet, 
Esopus  Spitzenburgh,  Pryor's  Red,  Wood's  Greening,  Fort 

*  Fruit  medium,  uniform,  very  productive,  sharp  acid  but  fine  flavor,  firm,  but  fine 
for  market.  Pistillate,  late  bloomer.  Origin  ,  Boston. 

t  Above  medium,  size  uniform,  long-conical,  pointed,  beautiful  scarlet,  productive, 
hardy,  strong,  less  acid  than  most  scarlets. 


SELECT    LISTS    OF    VARIETIES. 


407 


Miami,  Wine,  Winesap,  Brabant  Bellefleur,  and  four  sweet 
apples, .  viz : — Bough,  Jersey  Sweeting,  Golden  Sweet- 
ing, Ladies'  Sweeting.  If  the  soil  be  a  rich  clay  loam,  sub- 
stitute Green  and  Yellow  Newtown  Pippin  for  Swaar  and 
Winesap. 

Strawberries,  in  the  order  of  productiveness — Old  Hud- 
son and  Willey,  Dundee,  Hovey's  Seedling. 

LISTS  by  A.  J.  DOWNING,   chiefly  copied  from  the  Horticul- 
turist. 

Profitable  Pears — Bartlett,  Buffum,  Flemish  Beauty, 
Louise  Bonne  de  Jersey  on  quince,  Vicar  of  Winkfield, 
Lawrence,  Beurre  d'Aremberg. 

Most  productive  PLUMS  on  light  soils — Lombard,  Cruger's 
Scarlet,  Smith's  Orleans,  White  Damson. 

Best  PLUMS  for  heavy  soils — Early, — Imperial  Ottoman, 
Yellow  Gage;  medium, — Bleecker's  Gage,  Jefferson;  late, 
— Coe's  Golden  Drop,  Frost^Gage. 

Three  best  PEACHES. — Serrate  Early  York,  George  IV. 
Oldmixon  Free. 

The  following  list  of  NEW  FOREIGN  PEARS,  noi  named 
in  the  body  of  this  work,  with  their  size,  season,  and  qua- 
lity, so  far  as  indicated  by  a  short  trial,  has  been  furnished 
by  M.  P.  WILDER,  of  Boston.  The  three  grades  of  quality 
are  indicated  by  the  terms  good,  very  good,  and  best,  and 
some  of  them  may  prove  valuable. 

Size.    Season.  Quality. 

Sept., 
Sept., 
Nov., 
Sept., 
Oct., 
Oct., 
Nov., 


Bonne  des  Zees, 2 

Benoist, 1 

Beurre  de  Rhin, 1 

Beurre  Triguer, 3 

Belle  Excellente, 2 

Bezi  des  Veterans, 2 

Doyenne  de  Neckerman,  2 


Delices  de  Jodigne, 2  Sept., 

Epine  Dumas, 1  Oct., 

Inconnue  Van  Mons, . .  .  2  Jan., 

St.  Andre,  2  Sept., 

St.  Michael  Arehange,. .  2  Oct., 

Souvrain  d'Ete, 2  Sept., 


"  good,"  may  be  "  very  good." 
promises  well. 
•'  very  good." 

'  best," — very  rich  and  sweet. 
1  very  good." 

very  good" — promises  well, 
very    good,5' — handsome     red 

cheek. 

'  very  good,"  of  good  promise. 
'very  good." 
1  very  good,"  perhaps  "  best," 

hardy,  good  bearer. 
"  best,"  rich  and  perfumed. 
"  very  good,"    promises  well. 
"  best,"  delicious  and  rich. 


PRONUNCIATION  OF  FOREIGN  NAMES. 


Names  of  fruits,  strictly.  French,  can  be  pronounced  correctly  by 
those  only  who  speak  that  language.  But  a  considerable  number 
are  becoming  rapidly  Anglicised,  or  passing  to  a  sound  between 
French  and  English,  and  still  differing  materially  from  the  spell- 
ing,  like  the  common  words  chevaux  de  frize,  depot,  apropos,  belles 
lettres,  &c.  A  short  vocabulary  of  these,  and  chiefly  such  as  do  not 
well  admit  of  English  translation,  may  be  of  use  to  those  who  have  no 
knowledge  of  foreign  pronunciation. 

Belle  de  Choisy,  bell  d?  shwaw  ze. 

Belle  de  Vitry,  bell-d'-ve-tree. 

Belle  Magnifique,  bell  mag-ne-feek. 

Beurre,  burry.      This   is   often   pronounced  bury,  rhyming  with 
fury,  but  to  be  correct,  it  should  rhyme  with  hurry. 

Beurre  d'Amalis,  burry  dam-mal-lee. 

Beurre  d'Anjou,  burry  dan-zhoo. 

Beurre  d'Aremberg,  burry  dar-em  burg. 

Beurre  de  Capiaumont,  burry  d'cap-u-mone. 

Beurre  Diel,  burry  deel.     (Diel,  a  German  pomologist, — hence  the 
pronunciation  is  not  de-ell,  French,  as  sometimes  sounded.) 

Beurre  Gris,  burry  gree. 

Bigarreau,  be-gar-ro. 

Bonchretien,  bone-cre-shan.     (French,  bong-era- tyang. 

Crassane,  cras-sann. 

Doyenne,  doy-en-nay. 

Fameuse,  fam-uz. 

Fenouillet  Gris,  f-nool-ya-grec. 

Fortunee,  for-tu-na. 

Glout  Morceau,  gloo  mor-so. 

Gravenstein,  grav-en-stinc,  (German.) 

Grosse  Mignonne,  groce  meen-yonn. 

Guigne,  geen,     (g  hard.) 

Louise  Bonno,  loo-eze  bonn. 

Madeleine,  mad-lane. 

Male  Carle,  mal-carl. 

Marie  Louise,  mar-re  loo-eze. 

Nivette,  ne-vett. 

Nonpareil,  non-par-ell.     (French,  nong-par-ale.) 

Pavie,  Pav-vy. 

Quetsche,  quetch-eh.     (Gorman.) 

Reine  Claude,  rane  clode. 

Reinette,  ra-nett. 

Sieulle,  se-ull. 

Sine  Qua  Non,  si-ne  qua  non.     (Latin.) 

Virgouleusc,  veer-goo-luz.    Virgalieu,  a  different  word,  is  pro- 
nounced  vur-ga-loo. 

Vicompte  de  Spoclbereh,  ve-konte  d*  spool-bairk. 


GLOSSARY 

Of  the  more  common  terms  used  in  Fruit  Culture. 

Acute,  sharp  or  angular. 

Acuminate,  drawn  out  to  a  point. 

Alburnum,  the  sap-wood,  as  distinguished  from  the  heart-wood. 

Apex,  point,  the  part  of  a  fruit  farthest  from  the  foot-stalk. 

Base,  lower  end,  or  that  portion  of  a  fruit,  stalk,  or  part  of  a  plant, 
nearest  the  supporting  part  or  rojt. 

Basin,  the  hollow  or  depression  at  the  apex  or  crown  of  a  fruit,  sur- 
rounding the  calyx. 

Bezi,  a  wilding,  or  natural  seedling. 

Beurre,  a  buttery  pear. 

Border,  artificial  bed  of  enriched  earth. 

Callus,  ring  or  swollen  portion  formed  at  the  base  of  a  cutting,  by 
the  descending  cambium. 

Calville-shaped,  much  ribbed,  as  applied  to  apples. 

Calyx,  the  outer  or  green  leaves  of  a  flower,  which,  remaining  on  the 
apex  of  a  pear  or  apple,are  often  denominated  the  eye. 

Cambium,  the  soft,  newly  forming  wood  beneath  the  bark. 

Canes,  long,  bearing  shoots;  applied  to  grapes  and  raspberries. 

Clipping,  trimming  down  to  some  definite  shape. 

Colmar -shaped,  pyriform  or  pear-shaped,  with  a  rather  slender  neck 
and  large  body. 

Conical,  tapering  regularly  towards  the  apex. 

Cordate,  heart-shaped. 

Coxcomb,  applied  to  the  form  of  strawberries  when  much  compressed 
at  the  sides. 

Crenate,  notched  or  cut  like  rounded  or  blunt  saw  teeth. 

Crown,  the  part  of  a  fruit  farthest  from  the  foot-stalk  or  base. 

Curculio,  the  insect  which  stings  young  fruit. 

Dwarfs,  trees  made  diminutive  by  grafting  or  budding  upon  stocks 
of  small  growth. 

Espalier,  a  tree  trained  flat  upon  a  trellis. 

En  quenouille,  training  to  produce  fruitfulness  by  tying  the  branches 
downwards. 

Fibrous  roots,  the  smaller,  branching,  or  thread-like  roots. 

Forcing,  the  early  ripening  of  fruits  by  artificial  heat  under  glass. 

Fore-right  shoot,  the  terminal  shoot  of  a  branch. 

Head  back,  to  cut  off"  the  limbs  of  a  tree,  part  way  down. 

Head  down,  to  cut  off  the  entire  limbs  or  branches  of  a  tree,  or  to 
cut  down  to  an  inserted  bud. 

Inflorescence,  the  manner  in  which  the  flowers  are  borne. 

Lay-in,  applied  to  selecting  and  fastening  to  a  trellis  or  wall,  new 
branches  or  shoots. 

Lay  in.  by  the  heels,  to  bury  the  roots  of  trees  temporarily  in  a  trench. 

Leading  shoot,  the  longest  or  main  shoot  of  a  limb  or  tree. 

Lopping,  cutting  the  branch  down  to  the  stem. 

Maiden  plant,  a  tree  of  one  year's  growth  from  the  bud  or  graft. 

Mulching,  covering  the  ground  about  a  tree  with  straw  or  litter  to 
prevent  drying. 


410  GLOSSARY. 

Oblate,  flattened,  so  that  the  shortest  diameter  is  between  the  base 
and  apex,  like  a  flat  turnip. 

Obovate,  reversed  ovate,  being  largest  from  the  foot-stalk  or  towards 
the  apex. 

Obtuse,  rounded  or  blunt. 

Ovate,  egg-shaped,  being  the  largest  towards  the  foot-stalk. 

Pedicel,  the  subdivision  of  a  flower  or  fruit-stalk. 

Peduncle,  the  flower  or  fruit  stalk. 

Petals,  flower-leaves,  usually  colored. 

Petiole,  leaf-stalk. 

Pippin,  an  indefinite  term  applied  to  various  apples,  differing  in  size, 
shape,  color,  and  flavor,  but  more  particularly  used  for  the  Newtown 
Pippin. 

Pomology,  the  science  of  fruits. 

Pyramidal,  like  a  pyramid,  usually  nearly  similar  to  conical,  but 
longer. 

Pyriform,  pear-shaped,  having  more  or  less  a  drawn-out  neck. 

Ringing,  the  removal  of  a  ring  of  bark  round  a  branch,  to  impede  the 
descending  sap. 

Serrate,  notched  or  cut  like  saw-teeth. 

Shanking,  a  diseased  shrivelling  of  the  foot-stalks  of  grapes. 

Shorten-in,  to  cut  off  more  or  less  of  the  outer  parts  of  shoots. 

Spongiole,  the  minute  spongy  extremity  of  a  fibrous  root. 

Sport,  an  unusual  departure  or  variation  in  a  new  seedling. 

Spur,  a  short  stubby  shoot  bearing  fruit  or  fruit-buds. 

Standard,  a  fruit,  tree  in  open  ground,  or  not  trained  to  a  wall  or 
trellis. 

Stock;,  seedling  tree,  which  supports  the  inserted  bud  or  graft. 

Stop,  to  pinch  or  cut  off  the  point  of  a  shoot,  to  prevent  its  further 
extension  in  growth. 

Strike,  to  emit  roots. 

Tap-root,  the  main  or  central  descending  root. 

Trellis,  an  upright,  flat  frame,  for  training  fruit  trees  and  grapes 
upon  its  face. 

Wilding,  a  natural  seedling. 

Worky  a  term  applied  to  the  budding  or  grafting  of  trees. 


yr      X-JOC 
D    -M  ^>^  / 


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